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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reprodult en un seul cliche. 11 est filmi d partir de Tangle supArleur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. I by errata led to mt me pelure, iapon i [ 1 , 2 3 32X \ %/ : 2 3 4 5 6 The Readik i> informed tbat the Notes of Reference in the Memorial hare no bearing on the Appendix immediately follotvinj; it. He must lefer to the matter appended to page 37 et seq. Le lecteur est prie de remarquer que les renvois dans le Memoire u'ont ( .Clin rapport i I'Appendice qui lesuit inun^diatem^ut : ils ont rap- port u rAppeudtce & la page 37 tt seq. COPY OF A MEMORIAL FUOJI JAMES STUART. Esquire, HIS Majesty's attorney general for the i'rovince.of lower Canada, TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LORD VISCOUNT GODERICH, ONE OF HIS majesty's PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF STATE. gopiija.us MEMOIRE DE J^ M E S S T U A R T, Ecuyeu, PROCUREUR GENERAL DE SA MAJESTe' DANS LA PROVINCE DU BAS-CANADA, ADRESSE* AC TRES- HONORABLE LORD VICOMTE GODERICH, UN DES PRINCIPAUX SECRETAIRES d'eTAT DE SA MAJESTE'. •■•i^.' COPY OF A MEMORIAL FROM JAMES STUART, Esquire, HIS majesty's ATTOUNEY GF.NEHAL for THK PUOVINCE of lower CANADA, TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE LORD VISCOUNT GODERICH, one of Ills majesty's i'uincipal secretaries of state. To the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Goderich, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, &c, &c. &c. The Memorial of James Stuart, of the City of Quebec, in the Province of Lower Canada, Esquire. I Respectfully Siiewetii: That your Memorialist, in pursuance of a Mandamus from His late Majesty, George the Fourth, was appointed His late Majesty's Attorney General for the Province of Lower-Canada, by Commission under the Great Seal of the said Pro- vince, bearinpt date the thirty first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five ; and since the Accession of His present -Majesty, your Memorialist, in pursuance of His Majesty's Mandamus in this be- half, has been appointed His present M^esty's Attorney General for the said Pro- vince, by Commission under the Great Seal of the said Province, bearing date , the eleventh day of Uecembcr now last past. Although your Memorialist has discharged the duties of the said Office, from the period of his first appointment, with unremitting attention, zealously, honestly, and faithfully, and, he trusts also, with adequate ability, he has recent- ly, nevertheless, to his great mortification and injury, been subjected to ^uspen- sion from his said Office, by an order of His Excellency Lord Aylmer, Governor in Chief of the said Province; by which order he has reason to consider himself most unjustly aggrieved, and of which he now begs leave, respectfully, to sub- mit his complaint, to Your Lordship's consideration. Before proceeding to state the nature of this order of suspension, it is fit your Memorialist should make your Lordship acquainted with some circum- stances which preceded it. In the discharge of his official duties, your Memorial- ist had been absent from Quebec, about a month, in the upper parts of the Pro- vince, where his presence was required, in the conducting of criminal prosecu- tions. Three days after his return, when diligently employed in preparations lor the Court of King's Bench, immediately about to be opened at Quebec, as well COI'IK I) UN MKMOIIIE DE JAMES STUART, Ecuvui, PaOCUREUR GENERAL D13 SA MAJRSXk' DANS LA I'RUVINCK DV UAS-CANADA, aduesse' au TRESHONORABLE LORp VICOMTE GODERICII, UN DE3 PKINCIIAUX SECRETAinES I)"eTAT DE SA MEJKSTK*. A I'Honorablc Lord Viscomte Godertch, un dcs Principaux Secretaires d'Etat dc Sa Majestc, &c. &c. &c. Le Memoire de James Stuaht, dc la Cite de Quebec, dans la Province du Bus-Canada, Ecuycr. EXFOSE IIUMBLEMENT, Que votre Memorialiste, conformi'mcnt ;\ un mandamus de fou Sa Majestc George IV. fut nommj I'locureur de Sa INIajcsti'; pour la Province du Bas Canada, par commi:>sion sous le Grand Sccau de la ditc Province, en date du SI Janvier dans I'annec de Notre Seigneur 1825 ; pt depuis I'avincincut au tr6ne de Sa presente JMajeste, votrc AJt'tnoriaiiste, .farmcmcnt au Mandamus de Sa Majest(5 h cet effet, a ete nomm6 Ic Procureur tn neral dc Sa pr(^'sente MajesU; pour la dite Province, ])nr commission sous Ic (Jranu Sceau de la ditc Province, en datcdu lie jourde Dccembre maintcnant dernier. Quoique votre Mcmorialiste ait rempli les devoirs du dit Office, depuis la date de sa dcrniere nomination, avec une attention sans relaclie, avec xele, hon- netete et fidelite, et commc il s'en flatte aussi, avec une habilet6 suitisante, il a recemment n^anmoins, a sa grand mortification et i\ son grand dommage, cte soumis a une suspension d'office, par un ordre de Son Excellence Lord Aylmer, Gouverneur en Chef de la dite Province ; par lequel ordre il a raison de se regarder comme tr^s injustement Icz6, ce dont il dcmande maintcnant la libertc de soumettre saplainte a la consideration de votre Seigneurie. Avant de proc^der;\exposer la nature de cet ordre de suspension, il est a propos que votre M^morialiste mcttre votre Seign^urie au fait des'circonstances qui Tout precede. Dans rexccution de ses devoirs oflficiels, votre Memorialiste s'etait absent^ de Quebec, I'espacc d'envirou un niois, pour se rendre dans les parties superieures de la Province, oil la poursi'.itc de causes criminelles demandait sa pn'sence, Trois jours aprt-s son retour, dans le temps qu'il se preparait diligemment pour la Cour du Banc du Roi, qui etait sur le point de s'ouvrir h Quebec, well as in other duties incident to liis office, lie Ic.irnt from n gentleman, who called on him, that the evening belore, tlu? Ilniixc of Assemhiy had adopted ii Kcsolution to Adomniittec of (irievauccs, lin'l, diirintit tlie Session, bciii occupied ill a scrutiny of various matters, in which it w:i i supposed cause lor imputing, misconduct to your Memorialist mii;'lit be I'oiuul: but, beitij;' conscious that no materials for accusation against him could be derived from any part of his con- duct, your Memorialist had continued in perfect security, and was entirely igno. rant of the ])i'ocecdings which were to terminate in the Uesolution above men- tioned. As soon, therefore, as it couhl be done, on the ',^lst March, he submit- ted his application to His Excellency, by Letter to his Secretary, (a) to be made acquainted with the nature of these proceedings, us well as with the charges on which they were founded, that he might be enabled to satisfy His Excellency 'hat no cause had been aHbrded for tliu imputations with which he was assailed, in answer to this application, he was assured, by Letter from Lieutenant (^olonel Glegu, (/y) that His Excellency had received no ollicial intimation of the pro- ceedings in tjuestion ; and that, at all times, and under all circumstances, your Memorialist might rely upon tlic justif o and impartiality of His Excellency. — Two days after, without any communication whatever, to your Memorialist, of of the information which the last mentinned Inciter led him to expect, your Alc- morialist received a Letter from His I'xcclloncy's Secretary, apprizing him that an Address lor his immediate suspension had been presented to His Excellency; and, in the same Letter, His Excellency was pleased to inform your Memorialist, •' That he greatly apprehended, that, in the end, it would be his painful duty to " comply with the desire of the House of Assembly in this instance ; unless, he " could be relieved from the adoption of such a measure, by some arrangement " which should virtually accomplish the object of the House of Assembly, and, •• at the same time, be the least painful to the feelings of your Memorialist." (c). Your ^Memorialist could not but be greatly surprised at the receipt of this communication, by which, without being made acquainted with any charges against him, — without being afforded any opportunity for justification, or expla- nation, and certainly, without the fiiltilment of the assurances held out to your Memorialist, by His Excellency, in the Letter last referred to, he was menaced with suspension from office, unless he woul I consent to some arrangement which would virtually accomplish the object of the House of Assembly; this object being, as above stated, the punishment and disgrace of your .Memorialist. Notwithstanding this communication, of the nature and terms of which your Memorialist apprehends he has just causL* of complaint, your .Memorialist was still unwilling to believe that the princijjal (f natural justice, of which he claimed the exercise, would be departed from ; and therefore, at the same time that he repudiated the compromise proposed to him, he respectfully renewed his ap lica- tion for the comnniu cation of the characs against him. (r/) That His Excellency might, also, be aware of the extent of the injury he was about to inflict, your Memorialist disclosed particulars from which, thai might be inferred ; and, in his uncertainty whether an opportunity for answering the charges, or offering ex- planations respecting them, would bcaiFordid, he transmitted with his Letter seve- ral Affidavits c) which he thought calculated to influence His Excellency's judguient, in the discretionary power which ho was about to exercise. It was nevertheless, only on the 21th of iMarch, late in the afternoon, that your '^;enio. f: a) Vide No. 1, in Appendix No. 1. b) Vide No. a, in Appendix No. I. (c) Vide No. 3, iu Appendix No. 1, ( out to your as menaced ;ment which this object Mist. whicli your iiorialist was I he claimed time that he his ap,:lica- i Excellency nflict, your ed ; and, in ottering ex- LettiM' seve- Excelli'Pcy's ise. It was your '^ emo. AppuniliN No. I. rialist ■:f Quilicc, e» pendant qu'il s'occupait dcs autrcs devoirs dc son ollire, 11 :ip|)rit il'iin monsieur, (|ni vint die/ lui, (|ue la viilli- au soir la C'liambre d-Assomlilii' avail adopfe HMc " Kesolntion pour tlcmandiT a .Sa .Majesti- dele ilesfil ir d'o'ice, *' rt pour presenter nnc ailnsso a Son Excellence, demandant (pi'd liit suspoiiilu •• jnsqii a ce rpie le plaisirdc Sa .Maji st< fnt coniui." Votre .Menioriali'^tc ^,v-,ui il est vrai, (pi'un Comiti' de la Chambre d'Ass, nd)I£-e, sous le iionj »te Ci mil • de* (Jiiel's, sVtait oecnpe l)ciulant la Session a sVnnu'rir snr diver'<.i m:\tiires, diiiiH lesntionnec en dernier lieu lo faisait espi'rer, votre Mrnioiiaiite rciiit line li'ttre (111 Secrt'taire de Son Excellence, I'inibrmant qu'il avait ('te pres^Dtf a Son Excellence line adresse demandant sa suspension immediate, et dans la nii nie leftre, il pint a Son Excellence d'informer votre Mi'morialistc, " (^ii'illc ap, re- " hendait fort qii'a la fin ellc ne se troiivat par devoir, dans la priiibli- i)(\ i.'ssii • dj " se coiiformcr au va-u dc rAsscmblic a cet egard ; .'1 moins qu il ne s'()]u'v:"it *' quelquc arrangement qui remplirait virtueliement I'ohjet lie la C'hinibrc " d'Assemblee, etqui en m^me temps sorait moins desagn able aux siiitiineiis " de votre Mcmorialiste, ne lui cpargnat la picnc dadopter de ttllos nic- " sures. c) Votre Mi'morialistc ne pouvaitqu't'prouver unc grande surprise en rccevaiit uno communication comma cellc-ci, qui, sans I'inf'ormer d auciine des accusations port^es contre lui, sans lui donner aucune occasion de se justificrou dc sV\p!i(iui.r, ct cerlaineniemcnt sans remplir les assurances faites a votro Mniiorialislo par son I'xcellcnce dans la lettre mentionnec en dernier lieu, le mona^ait lu: .>uspen- sion d'oflicc, a moins qu'il ne consentit a quelque arrangcmer.l qui rein[ilit vir- tncllemcnt I'object dcia Chambre d'Assemblc'c ; cet obji't etant coaune il est c;it ci-dcssus, lapiinition etla disgrace de votre ."Mi'morialijitc. i\lal;ie cettc co.nnumication, de la nature ct dcs tcrmes do la qiKilo voire Memorialistc cioit avoir juste sujct dc se plaindre, votre Memoriaiistc (tail encore dispos'.'-a croiro qu'on nese departirait pas du principc dc justice naturelle qu il invoquait ; c'est pourquoi, en meme temps qu'il repoussait le compromis (pron lui proposait, il renouvela respectueusemeiit la demande qu'il avait I'aito, qn'oti lui donnat communication dcs accusations portecs contre iiii. (r/) I'oir liiiio aussi connaitrc a son Excellence I'etendue du dommage quelle et^it sur le point de lui faire souftVir, votre M(''niorialiste decouvrit des details, <\u\ ])oiivaiont cii donner une idto, et dans I'incertitude 011 il ttait si on lui donnerait uiic occasion de rcpondre aux accusations ou d'otfrir dcs expliquations sur iceiles, ii tr;.n>mit avec sa lettre plusieurs affidavits, (e) qu'il croyait de natare a iuiiiur sur lo jugement de son Excellence dans le pouvoir discr6tionnaire quelle litait sur Ic point d'exercer. Ce ne fut cependant que le 2i Mars, tard dans lapres niidi, (a) Voir No. I, dans I'Appcndice No, 1. (/') Voir No. a.Uaiis I'Appundicc No. 1. (_c) Voir No. 3, dausl'Appcudice No. 1. {(I) Voir No. 4, dans l'.\p|pi'nili«' No. 1. (i) Voir Ips Aflldavits, sous Ic No. I, daiis I'Aiiponi No. 1. quo a linlixt v,tt% inndc ncqiinintcd uitli llic cliarf^eji aKiiin^t him, hy tlio receipt of n I titer (iDin Liciilniniil Culoiu'l (ilr^'jj, ( / ) inciusiii^ tlic two AiUtri'HHi-<« rvtcrrud to in liii l.i'tt I' (il'tliL* 'lh\ Miircli. Iking tliun vtij^iiKed in Court, t'runi an early to a lute hour, cuili iliiy, inul linving, bc!ii(li'\ otiit'r oiliciul diilicH wliicli occupied liini wlicn r('k-:isk'il iVoin his iitti'rid.incu in C onrt, your Memorialist solicited, from Mis l''.\('i'lli'iu-y, a nIkmI iiitirval ol time, Tor pri piiring \m uuHWir to the cha^^c■ ^|lL'('ilil.>d in tlu.' Adiln-i^H ot the A.tscnih iy ; at the ^aniu time nnHuring His lix- rc'lii'iK-y, tlial il r(.'(]niic(l, his au-.wcr should be hirniiihcd the next day. In .c'|)ly fi) to his apjiiication, your Nk-morialist was in(orn\ed, " That it was quite " unnecessary, thai your Menuiri.ilist shout I prcpa.u any nnxwcr to tliu chargCH " preferred aga list iiiiii hy the House of Asscnihly ; it heiiif; quite fon ign to the " roiirsu that His liNcelletiey intended to adopt, to enter at all into the merits ot' " tlie ca-ie, oie way or other.' iJeiuju; thus deharred, hy Ilin Kxccliency iVom nil opportunity of seU-justiii- ration, or es|)lanat on, on the snhject of the clmrj^cs in question, vour Mcmoriulist was without any lueaiisof inrorniiiip, or enliglitening His lv\cellency h discretion, as to the justice or expediency of iiitlicting on him the piinisluncnt of suspension. lie coniiiiiicd, therefore, witli His llxcellency's menace of suspension impending nver liiin, to discliar^ru the duties of his oHice, inUil H 8 Kxcellency's absolute order of suspension was (onveyed to him, in a Letter from Lieutenant C'okuK'l (ilefi'^-. of liie'.'Sth March. (A IJy this order, His Kxcellency, in adopting a mea- sure progiiaut with great, and perhaps irreparable, injury to your Memoriiilst, it i' most .singular ti) remark, (isclaims the exercise of any discretion in relation to it, and wou'd seem to have considered that he was called U| on, passively, to conijly with til • desire of the House of Assembly. On this order, your Memo- rialist will only permit himself to remark, that Hit Excel'cncyV premises, in thu rcai-'ons nsibi^ned for his di termination, appear to be strangely at variance witii Ills conclusion. I'or, while His I-xcelleney j)rofesscs to have no judgment to cx- eicisc on the case, and to be inditterent between the parties, he, nevertheless, inflicts sirious iu.piry, in the nature of punishment, on one of tlicm, at the de- sire of the otii.r; while he also states, that to have abstained from that injury would have given him tlio cliaracter of a Judge; -as if the character of a Judge was ac(]iiiied or assiuned, by making no decision, and exercising no power, to the injury or benefit of either party, and nut actpiired or assumed, by u decision in fa\ our of one, to the great injury, and perhaps ruin, of the other; and as ii^ in a(!oi)tiiig the latter coi rse, on tliis occasion. His Kxcellency was tobe, or could be, considered as exercising no judgment, and as being indifferent between the parties. /Mtliotgli it be most obviously true, as staled by His Excellency, that His J:xcellciity was not invested with the power of a JiidgCi to determine on the me- rit of the charges of the House of Assembly; it is, nevertheles, also very cer- tain, your Memorialist jiumbly apprehend.s, that he was called upon, by the Ad- tlress of the i\sscmbly to Irm, tu exercise a high discretionary power, preliminary to the dctenrinat on of His iMajesty, which power could not be justly or properly exercised, without consideration of the charges, on the one bond, and of the an- swer or justification oppi sed to them, on the other. Without such consideration, the ,t';cntral presiinipiioii, in favour of your Memorialist, of innocence, till con- viction, was, your .Mcmoiialist apprehends, conclusive against the exercise of such a discretionary power. It would seem also, that His Excellency has not cbscr\cd, or distinctly understood, that the suspension prayed for, in the Address of tiic Assembly, was not a teinporary suspension, to continue during the inves- tigation of the criminal chaiges, and until a determination on them might be (f) Vido No. 8, Apppndix No. I. (!/) Vi'Jc Nu. IV, in Aiipcndi.K No. 1. (//) Vide No. 10, in Appendix No. 1. had ci|>t of n s rvierrcil I an Villi) occupied itcd, troin e cllar^es His i:x. iluy. Ill wuH quite le churjiCH i^n to the ' merits ut' self-juNtifi- vmorinliiit liscrt'tion, ispension. uipending uUsolutc t Colonel nr; a mea- oi'iiilst, it clutiou tu ssivt'ly, to jr Memo- Hes, in tlif ancu with ent to ex- vertlieless, at the de- liat injury ii a Judge power, to a decision and as ii', c, or could Jlwccn the ', that His an the me- vcry cer- jy the Ad- ireliminary )r properly of the aii- )sideration, :e, till con- exercise of :y has not ie Address the inves- niight be T I I '■*»i q\ic votre MmorinliUe ftit infnrme dci acrusntions port ci contrc liii, pai uiiu Icttrc qu'ii rcqiit du l.icnt. Colonel (Jicgiij (/) dans laqiiello > tuieiit inclutcs deux adrcsics mcntioiun c« dans «a U'ttre du JM Man. i.t.int uli^rs oi ii.pi' vn Conr de|iuis le niatui de lioiuie heiire ju^nue tard l':)itrci nudi. cli.ique jonr, et ayant en outie d'auties dcvo rs olficicN (im roeriipnicnt lors (|tril l.uhs.iit i.i Com, votre M6nioiialiste priu Hon Kxcelli'nc ; iL> hii donncr uii court espace de iciiipH pour pnparer tine nponse nux accuitutioii.s k|i> ciHccs daiiH I'aihcs'c de I'Ah- scnihlio ; asHiirant en m/^me temps t«oii Kxcellcncc que »i elie I'cxi/eait, ^u r pouHc scrnit donnrc le lendeniain. En rcponsc (p a rettcdeniande voire M' iiioiialiHtc Cut intornu'-— " (ju'il ttait toiit-.i-fait inutile que voire .Mt nii>riali>te picp.uat aiicuiu' •• reponsc aux ircusationsporti es conrre lui par la Cliaiii!)r». il A isiiuhi c j .Son " Kx<:ellcncc ne 8.' proposunt rien moins, que d'entrcr dti tout i!;uih lo mciitc du •• I'dflairc soit d'un cote on do I'aiitie.'" Son Kxcellcncc m'ayant aiiisi privr de roccasion do nic jtistiiiir on de donncr dcs cx|.lication8 u IVgard dcs accusations en question, voire Mi inorialiste se trouvait hors dVtat d'infbrmcr ou dcclaircr la discrctio;! de son Ivsco'lence, quanta la justice ou I'expi'dicncc de lui intii|rcr la puiution d'nre suspension. II continua done, avcc la irenacc de la part ilc son K\cellc ici: d ine sus|)ensi(iii pi'ocliaine, a cxerccr les devoirs de son office, jusqu'a cc que loiilre absolu de son Kxcelience sur sasutpcnsion, lui f'ut signtH6 dans line lettrcdu Lieut, ('olonel Glegg, en datedii 2h Mars (fi). Par cet ordrc son Kxcelionrc, en adoj)t;uit unc nicsure d'ou il n'sultait pour votre Mrmoiialiste iin tort considnable et pentetre irreparable, declare, chose dcs plus singulieres, ne vonloir ex er aiicuiie d^- en-tion surlesujet, ctparaitrait avoir 6t6 sons I'impression, ou'cll" devait passive- nient se confornier au desir de la Chambrc d'Assembl^e. Votre Meniorialistc se perniettra de rcniarqucr sculcment sur cet ordrc, que les prdmiccs de son Kx- cellcncc dans les raisons qu'elle assignc pour justitier sa di'lerniination, paraisbjiit difl'crcri'trangemcnt bcaucoiip de sa conclusion. Car son liXc.llencj, tout en declarant n'avoir aucun jugeincnt ;'l cxerccr dans ratiliire, ct Ttre indirtercnto entreles parties, cause neanmoins a I'unc d'elles an desir de raiitrc, nn dommage serieu.v, dans la nature d'nne punition ; dans jcqtici cllc dit aussi, que s'l'trc abstcnu de causer ce tort, nnraitct^ prendre lo caracttre de juge ; coi-imc si on acqu^'rait ou prenait le caract5re de juge, en nc donnani aueuno decision, en ncxer9ant aucun ponvoir au prejudi( 3 ou a I'avantage de i'i"ie ou dc I'aiitre dcs parties, ct commcsi Ion ne Tacquerait ct prenait pas par unc decision itif'avctir dune des parties au grand prejudice, et pcut Mre a la ruinc do lautre ; et si son Excellence en udoptant cetie dcrnicire voic, on cette occasion, devait on pouvait etre regardce comme n'exer^ant aucun jugcnieiit, ct comme dtant iiidif- I'cicnte entre les parties. (Juoiqu'il soit evidcmment vrai, comme il est dit par son Kxcellcncc, que son Excellence n'etait rcvetue d'aucun pouvoir de jiiger ni do decider sur la verite des accusations de la Chambre d'Assembli'c, il n'en est pas moins curtain cependant, dans I'humble opinion de votre Mcmorialistc, qu'elle etait appidtc par I'adressc de la Chambre d'Assembl(':e, i\ cxercer un grand pouvoir discretion- naire, pri'alablement h la determination de Sa Majestt", lequcl pouvoir no pouvait ctrc exerce avec justice etconvenance, sans considorer les accusations dun cAte, et de I'autre la rr^ponse ou justification qui leur auraient he oppos(!cs. Sans une telle consideration, la prtsomption genirale d'innocence, on laveur dc votre McmoiialJ8te,jusqu'4 conviction, sopposait, dans I'opinion dc votre Mcmorialistc, a I'exercice d'un tel pouvoir discretionnairc. II paraitrait aussi que son E.v- demandte, 3vant con- jusqu'.\ ce qu'il (f) Voir No. 8, dans I'Appendice No. 1. (y> Voir Mo. l£,diuii t'AppeaUice No. 1. (A) Voir No. 16, dansl'Appeudice No. I. Alt 8 had, but a suspension, in the nature of punishment, preliminary to a still greater punishment, by absolute removal from office and disgrace ; and that this suspen- sion, with these consequences, was intended by the Assembly to supercede any investigation whatever, as well as any defence on the part of the accused, and to exclude the exercise of all judicial power over the subject. Under this view of the Address of the Assembly, His Excellency might have been disposed to think he was not, indeed, called upon to exercise judicial functions, but to carry into execution a sentence or judgment of the Assembly; and that the right of the Assembly to pronounce it, as well as the grounds on which it might rest, were fit subjects for grave consideration. Bei therefore, under the persuasion, that it was the duty of His ExceK Icncy the Governor in Chief, before inflicting on him the severe injury of sus- pension, to have permitted him to submit to His Excellency a justification of his conduct, as was solicited, your Memorialist will beg leave, in surpport of his pre-. ricnt complaint, to bring under your Lordship's consideration, the reasons and grounds which, if such an opportunity for self-jus' ""-aiion had been afforded, would have been adduced by your Memorialist, to satisfy His Excellency, that his suspension ought not to take place. While the right of the Assembly to complain of and accuse Public Officers, who may abuse the trust confided to them, or be guilty of misdemeanors in the discharge of their official duties, is acknowleded by your Memorialist, he res- pectfully begs leave to deny the right of the Assembly to condemn such Officers, or exercise any judicial power over their own accusations against them : they cannot both accuse and condemn. In the Addresses presented for the suspension and removal of your Memorialist, the right of the Assembly to condemn, as well as to accuse, seems to be implied ; inasmuch as no accusation, with a view to de- fence or answer, on the part of your Memorialist, or to trial, investigation, or judgment, seems to be preferred ; but, omittmg accusation^ defence, trial, and judgment, punishment is prayed for by the Assembly, uno sallu, as on a convic- tion. This is a course of proceeding so fraught with injustice, so destructive of the security of Public Officers, in what respects their otHces, their honor, repu- tation and fortunes, and so incompatible with the very existence of His Majesty's Executive Government, otherwise than in subjection to the House of Assembly, that your Memorialist presumes to think no such course of proceeding can be ad- mitted. His Excellency the Governor in Chief could not, therefore, in this par- ticular case, suspend your Memorialist from his office, without the greatest in- justice to your Memorialist, and without affording bis sanction to a course of pro- ceeding of the most dangerous tendency. If, however, it was intended by the Assembly, that the charges specified in their Addresses should receive investigation, with a view to the determination of their truth or falsehood, before the infliction of the punishment prayed for, your Memorialist would beg leave to submit that it would have been desirable, and, he apprehends, necessary and proper, in fairness to the party accused, that a greater degree of particularity, than is to be found in these charges, should have been used. The first charge, it is presumed, was intended merely as an introduction to those which follow, and may not, therefore, be objectionable, on the ground of the generality of the terms in which it is expressed. In the second, it would have been desirable, and, your Memorialist conceive;, flt and proper, that a spe- cification should have been given of the particular prosecutions whfch it is al- leged, ought to have been carried on in the Quarter Sessions, and were impro- perly made cognizable by the Court of King's Bench. In the third charge, a spe- cification of the Libel prosecutions, which it is alleged were unjust and ill-founded, would futintervenu une decision sur icelles, niais une suspension en nature de punition, qui devait etre suivie d'une bien plus grande punition, la destitution ahsoiue.d'otKce et la disgrace ; et que cette suspension avcc ses cons6quences, devaicnt, dans Ics VUC8 de la Chambre d'Assemblee, prendre la place de toutc investigation quel- conque, au^si bien que de toute defense dela part de I'accuse, et exclure lex- ercice de tout pouvoir judiciaire sur le sujet. En envisageant I'adresse de i'Assembl^e sous ce point de vue, son Excellence aurait pu ^trc dispos^e :\ penser quelle n'e'tait pas, a la v^rite, appelee a exercer dcs fonctions judiciaires, inais a mettre u execution une sentence ou jugement de TAssemblee ; ct que le droit de I'Assenibl^e de prononcer un tel jugement, aussi bien que les fondemens sur lesquels il pouvait £tre base, dtaient des sujets qui meritaient une consideration serieuse. C'est pnurquoi, dans la fernse persuasion qu'il droit de l'asscmb1 Court itself would have been wanting in its duty, as well as the Crown Officer, if such persons had not expe- rienced the benefit of a Gaol Delivery. It has been, therefore, in execution of the Law of the Land, that such prosecutions have been carried on, not only by your Memorialist, but by all his predecessors in office, without exception, and without interruption. Conscious of the entire rectitude of his conduct, in relation to criminal prosecutions, your Memorialist most distinctly avers, that since he came into office, he has not preferred an indictment, or carried on a criminal pro- secution, which his duty did not require him to prefer and carry on; and he chal- lenges the indication of a single instance, in which his duty, in this particular, has not been adhered to. The number of criminal prosecutions carried on by him in the three Districts of the Province, since he became Attorney General, may have been between thirteen and fourteen hundred, — and he willingly sub- jects the whole of them to the severest scrutiny. This charge is, therefore, en- tirely groundless; and your Memorialist may be permitted to observe, that he has not been less free from the motive, than from the culpability, which it as- cribes to him. There is a circumstance in relation to this charge, which must excite extreme surprize, and may convey some idea of the spirit and manner in which these proceedings have been conducted against your Memorialist. The Clerk of the Crown for the District of Quebec, (Mr. Green,) a Gentleman of well known probity and character, was examined ion this charge, before the Committee. — He stated facts to the Committee, which disproved this charge in toio, in what respects the District of Quebec. — These facts were not ta- ken down in writing, as a part of his evidence, although he noticed the omis- sion at the time, but other parts only, from which, without further explanation. f 4 # .11 enable tlie jctors who the names presumed 3en desira- ! Attorney 1. In tlic Common jispensible to be had i suborned itions now of miscon- (led, might fllency, in pcnd your ssembly. — y giving a , which he tible of an- 1, that the lice a year. At thesu n which all >cuted and prosecuted ed of them have been 1 not expe- xecution of ot only by option, and in relation at since he iminal pro- ud he chal- particular, rried on by iy General, lingly sub- erefbre, en- ve, that he hich it as- lust excite er in which The Clerk m of well before the this charge !re not ta- d the omis- xplanation. fioarii e, que I'on pretend avoir ete injustes ou non fondces, afin de racttre 'accus -'n 6tat de repondre la-dessus. Uans la quatri^me accusation, on ainait dil, cesetable, offiir lesncms des 6lectcurs que Ton pretend avoir etc inlimidt's par dcs menaces ou par des actes de violence et les noms des persounes il qui I'on a promis limpunite. Dans la cinquiSme accusation il eiit rtc a souhaiter que Ton eut specific les noms des personnes accusees de parjurc, que le Pnicureur General a refuse ou neglige de poursuivre. Dans la sixitfnie accusation, qui est pour un d^litinfame, punissable par la lot commune, et du ressort des cours de justice de Sa Majeste, il etait d'une necessite indispensable, si la Chambre d'Assembl^e pen- sait fonder quelque procMure kgale sur une telle accusation, de preciser les noms des personnes que Ton a suborn^es pour se parjurer. Sans les details que Ton vient d'indiquer, I'accusd nest pas suftisamment instruit des actes de malversation, ou des sonnes que 1 on a subornees pour se parjurer. aans les uetans 'indiquer, I'accusd nest pas suftisamment instruit des actes de mal delits qu'on lui impute, pour pouvoir ctre en etat de se dcfendre. Ayant ainsi expos^ les considerations gendrales, qui on le presume, auraient pu influer essentiellement, sur la conscience et la discretion de Son Excellence, eu ^^' dccidant s'il etait ou non juste et raisonnable de suspendre votre suppliant de son cmploi, en obiissance a I'adresse de la Chambre d'Assemblee, votre suppliant ose raaintenant mettre sous les yeux de votre Seigneurie, les rcponses dislinctes qu'il aa ofTrir, quantaux faits, ^ chacune des accusations successivement et qu'il eut offbrtes ;\ Son Excellence, si on lui eut permis de le faire. Sans faire attention i la premiere et a la derniere accusations, comme n'etant passusceptibles de reponses, votre suppliant se permet de remarquer, quant a la seconde, que la Cour du Banc du Roi, dans les difFe'rens districts de la Province, siege deux fois Tannee, pour y decider des oB'enses criminelles qui sont de son rSssort. Dans ces occasions, elle agit comme une Cour de De/ivrance Gtn6rale des prisons {General Gaol Delivery) ou iouiQ personne qui se trouve , incarceree doit, CO? debilo Jusliliie, etre poursuivie et j\.\g('e. Les offenses mineures donl il est parl^ dans cette accusation, n'ont pas ete poursuivies dans la Cour du Dane du llui, hormis les cas oil les personnes accusees se trouvaient en prison, et la Cour elle-mfime, aiirait manque ;\ son devoir, aussi bien que lofficier da la cnu- ronue, si 1,'on avait refus6, dans ces cas la, aces personnes I'avantage d'une rfe. livrance' de Prison (Gaol Delivery). C'est done pour obeir a la loi du pays, que ces poursuites ont ^te intentees, non-seulement par votre suppliant, mais par tous ses predecesseurs en office, sans exception et sans interruption. Fort de I'integrite et de la droiture de sa conduite, a I'egard des pursuites criminelli s, voire suppliant avance hardiment que depuis qu'il a t't6 revetu de son emploi, il n'a pas fait une accusation, ni intent^ une poursuite criminelle, que son devoir ne I'ait oblig^ et force de faire, et il defie qu'on indique un seul cas ou il ne se soit attach(:: stric- tement a son devoir a cet egard. Le noinbre des poursuites crimineliei> qu'il a intentees dans les trcis Dis- •tricts de la Province, depuis qu'il est devenu Procureur-Gdn^ral, pent avoir tte de treize aqualirze cents J et il oifre volontiers le tout a I'amen le plus severe. Jj'accusation est done, sans aucun fondenient, et il sera permis a votre suppliant de vous faire observer qu'il n'est pas plus coupable dcs motifs, que des delits qu'on lui impute. II y a une circonstance Sans celte accusation qui doit faire naitre la plus grande surpiise, et donner une Id^e de I'esprit, et de la maniere avec lesquels on a ourdi cette procedure contre votre suppliant. Le clerc de la couronne pour le District de Quebec, (Mr. Green,) homme d'un caractere et d'une probite recon- nus, fut examine devant le comit^ sur cette accusation. II mit sous les yeux du Comite des faits qui refutaient cette accusation in toto, quant A ce qui regarde le comt^ de Quebec. On ne prit pas ces faits par ecrit, comme partie de I'enquiite, quoiqu'il fit remarquer cet oubli dans le tems, mais seulement d'autres parties dont, sans s'expliquer davantage, on pourrait titer une inference desavantagetise. Mr. (; . i h l- 12 a disadvantafjeous inference might be made. — From a sense of honor and justice, Mr. Green spontaneously mentioned this circumstance to your Memo- rialist, since tlie addresses of tlie House were presented ; and your Memorialist begs leave to refer your Lordship to Mr. Green's Affidavit (a) on this subject, which is hereunto annexed. On the third charge, your Memorialist will beg leave to observe, that all the prosecutions for Libels, which have been carried on by him, originated in Bills of Indictment found* by the Grand Juries, in the Districts of Quebec and Montreal. — He is at a loss to conceive, therefore, on what ground, he can be held criminal, or culpable, for having been merely auxiliary to Grand .Juries, in the institution of these prosecutions ; which are not to be consi- dered as proceeding from him, but from the country itself, through its legally constituted organ. — He is far, however, from shrinking from any responsibility which may attach to the institution of the prosecutions complained or. Although, by the part which his duty required him to take in them, he may have incurred the resentment of individuals, whose labours and influence, he understands, have been conspicuous in the proceedings which have led to the charges he is now called upon to answer } — he is, nevertheless, ready to justify each, and every of them, as having been urgently necessary, when instituted, and as having largely contributed to arrest the progress of disorder, and maintain the authority of His Majesty's Government, and the tranquillity of the Province, when both were assailed and endangered. — Without trespassing on your Lord- ship's patience, by any detail on this bead, he will beg leave to refer to his Report on the subject of these prosecutions, which was made to His Excel* lency Sir James Kempt, soon after he assumed the Administration of the Government of this Province, of which a copy is hereunto annexed. — In this Report, he humbly apprehends, will be found sufficient reasons to justify his conduct, in relation to these prosecutions, as well as that of the Grand Juries, by which the Bills were found. On the fourth charge, some explanations, your Memorialist will beg leave to submit are necessary, in order to convey a correct impression of it. To re- present the Borough of William Henry, or any other part of the Province, in the Assembly as now constituted, was not an object of the ambition of your Memorialist; and, if inclination had been consulted, he would have been a stranger to the Elections for that Borough. But, on his receiving the appoint- ment of Attorney. General, it was intimated to him, that it was deemed proper, that he should represent it, as his predecessors in office, generally, had done. At the first Election therefore, which occurred after his appointment, he be- came a Candidate for the Borough, and, at considerable personal expense,' was elected. The Borough, constituting part of the Seigniory of Sorel, which belongs to His Majesty, the King's Agent for that Seigniory, upon that, as on other similar occasions, was relied on, for the canvassing of the Borough. When a new Election was about to take place, in July, 18S7, Your Memo- rialist placed the same reliance on the exertions of the Agent, as he had done in the previous Election, and arrived at the Borough only the day be- fore the Election. He then found that no communications had been had with any of his Electors on his behalf, while active measures, of which he had remained ignorant, had been used against him; and that all the influence and activity of a powerful political party, opposed to the then Administration of the Colonial Government, and which is now dominant in the House of Assembly, would be exerted to prevent his Election. This fact was verified at the opening of the Election tne next day, as a large concourse of per- Bons from distant parts of the country, including Officers of Militia and other pnrsons (a J Vide No. 2, in Appeudiz Nok S. • • '■■«• M 13 f honor and your Mcmo- ' Memorialist this subject, erve, that all 1, originated ts of Quebec : ground, he ary to Grand to be consi- ih its legally responsibility fi plained of. lem, he may influence, he e led to the ly to justify ivtituted, and maintain the :he Province, [) yourLord- rofer to his > His Excel- ation of the ore], which n that, as on Borough. I'our Memo< as he had ^he day be- en had with ich he had nfluence and aistration of ! House of was verified jrse of per- iaand other persons 'A Mr. Green, par un sentiment d'honneuret do justice, ct de son propre mouvement en fit la remarque a votre suppliant, depuis que lus adrosses de la Chambre ont h6 pr^sent^es ; et votre suppliant demande i\ votre Scigneurie de lui permet- tre de vous renvoyer au certijlcat (aj de M. Green a ce sujet, qui est ci-joint Quant au troisieme chef votre suppliant vous prie de remarquer, que toutes les poursuitet pour libelles qu'il a intent(!-es, ont eu leur origine dans des actes d'accusation (Bill of indictments) prcsentt-s par les grands juries du District de Montreal et de Quebec. II ne- peut done pas concevoir, comment on peut le r^- puter coupable ou criminel, pour avoir ete sitiiplement rauxiliaire des grands juris, en instituant cos poursuites : que Ton ne doit pas consid^'er commc cma- nant de lui, niais du Pays lui-meme, par le moyen de son organe etabli par la ioi. II est cependant loin de craindre et de rejeter la responsabilite qui peut s'attacher a I'institution des poursuites dont on se plaint. Quoique, par la part que son devoir I'a obligi de prendre, il ait pu cncouiir le ressentiment de personnes, dont, il apprend, les travaux et I'influence ont souleve les accusations auxquelles il est maintenant appel6 a r^pondre ; n(!'anmoins, il est pr^t k les justifier toutes ou chacune d'elles, comme ^tant impdiicusement nicessaircs lorsqu'elles furent institutes ; et ayant grandement contribu6 a arr^ter les progr^s du disordre ; et ^ maintenir I'autorite du gouvernement du Roi, et la tranquillity de la Province, pendant quelles itaient egakment assaillies et en danger. Sans abuser de la patience de votre Seigneurie en entrant en detail h cet ^gard, qu'il lui soit permis de vous renvoyer au rapport aa sujet de ces poursuites qui fut pr^sente u Son Excellence Sir James Kempt, quelque terns apr^s qu'il eut les r^nes de I'admi- nistration de la Province, et dont copie est ci-jointe. On y trouvera, il ose se flatter, des raisons suffisantes, pour justifier sa conduite, relativement ii ces poursuites, de m^me que celle des grands juris, qui trouv^rent mati^re k accu- sation. Sur le quatri^me chef, votre suppliant demande qa'on lui permette de faire ob- server qu'il est besoin de quelque explication, pour en donner nne id^e claire et correcte. Ce n'itait pas I'objet de I'ambition de votre Mdmoraliste, que de repr^- senter le bourg de William Henry, ou aucune autre partie de la Province, dans la Chambre d'Assembl6e telle qu'elle est maintenant constitute, et sMl eut con- salti son inclination il eut it€ Stranger aux ilecteurs de ce bourg. Mais en itant nomm6 k I'emploi de Procureur Ginira^ ou lui insinua, que Ton trouverait bon qa'il le reprdsent&t, comme I'avaieat g^niralement fait ces predecesseurs dans cette charge. A la premiere election done qui s'offrit lil, apr^s sa nomination; il se prisenta comme candidal pour cet endroit, et, apr^s une depense considera- ble deson argent, il fut €\a. Le bourg, faisant partie de la seigneurie de Sorel, qui appartient k Sa Majesti, c'est a I'agent du Roi pour cette seigneurie que fut confix dans cette occasion, comme dans d'autres semblables, le soin de chercher et d'obtenir les suffrages. Une nouvelle Election devant avoir lieu, en Juillet 1827, votre Mimorialiste se confia pareillement aux soins et k I'activiti de I'agent de la mani^re qu'il I'avait fait a I'^lection precidente, el n'arriva a Sorel que le jour avant I'ilection. II trouva alors que Ton n'avait fait aucune ouverture aux Electeurs en sa faveur, tandisqu'on s'ltait employ^, d'une mani^re active centre lui, sans qu'il le s(kt ; et Sue toute I'influence et I'activiti d'un parti politique puissant, oppos6 k la politique e I'administration coloniale et qui domine aujourd'hui dans la Chambre d'As- sembl^e, seraient mises en action pour empecher son ilection. Ceci se virifia le lendemain au commencement de I'^lection, le jour suivant puisqu'il se troava faj Voir 2(o. S. dwi I'ttppendice, No 8 im 14 !i persons of influence, wholly unconnected with the Borough, were found ready to sustain the interests of an adverse Candidate. On the other hand, your Memorialist, personalty a stranger in the Borough, was alone and unsup* ported, except by some of the principal inhabitants of the place. It is not to be supposed, therefore, as allcdged in this charge, that acts of violence in restraint of the freedom of election could proceed from your Memorialist, with the aid of four or five Burgesses, (the whole amount of the physical force, on the side of your Memorialist,) in opposition to hundreds of individuals, acting under the influence of strong excitement, and exhibiting both power and inclination to effect their purposes, on the other side. There is absolutely, therefore, and in the nature of things could be, no foundation whatever for the imputation of acts of violence, to your Memorialist. As little ground is there also, for imputing to your Memorialist the use of threats. — In endeavouring in a very unequal contest, as to numbers, physical strength, and employ- ment of means, to sustain his interests as Candidate, your Memorialist could have no reliance, except on the execution of the Laws. — In the exercise of rights derived from these ; he did object to the admission of illegal votes ;-— when such votes were insisted upon, he did require the oath of qua- lification to be administered, and when the want of right was evident, he did, ns far as opposing violence would permit, caution the individuals about to compromit themselves, by taking the oath, against doing so; — he did also represent to them, (they being ignorant and illite rate persons,) the penalties they would incur, — and did inform them they would be prosecuted for Perjury, if they took the oath. — But ail this was done by him, as would have been by any other Candidate, under like circumstances ; and, on his part, was the mere exercise of the essential rights of a Candidate, without which he must have immediately renounced the contest.— The allegation in this charge, that he intimidated some of the Electors, while he promised impunity to others, is altogeter untrue, and destitute of any, the slightest foundation. — On this head, your Memorialist will request permission to refer to the Athdavits contained under No. 4, in the annexed Appendix, No. 1. On the fifth charge your Memorialist will beg leave to observe, that he prosecuted no person for Perjury, whom he did not caution, at the time of taking the oath, against doing so ; and whose want of qualification was not so evident, as to exclude all doubt, as to the falsehood of the oath, which had been taken. The number of cases, in which this false swearing occurred, was so great, compared with the entire number of votes for the Borough, which is only between one hundred and one hundred and twenty, that the legal right of voting must be rendered entirely illusory, if the false assump- tion of this right, by perjury, were not checked. The efi'ect of this assump- tion, in the case alluded to, was evident ; inasmuch as the majority of the adverse Candidate was only two or three votes, and the number of his voters against whom Indictments for Perjury were subsequently fonnd, was no less than seven. For the sufficiency of the grounds, on which each of these prosecutions was instituted, your Memorialist most willingly hold himself re- sponsible. The prosecutions which he is held culpable, in this charge, for not having instituted against persons who voted for him, he could not have instituted, without ii gross breach of his duty, for two very conclusive reasons. In the first place, no private prosecutor ever requested him to institute such pro- secutions, or ever said one syllable to to him respecting them ; — and in the second, no sufficient evidence ever reached his hands, to warrant or justify him, in laying any such accusations, as those referred .to, before a Grand Jury. The facts, with respect to this fifth charge, your Memorialist begs leave to state, are these. In the term of the Court of King's Bench at Montreal, which 15 votes ;— of qua- ident, he lals about e did also assump- is assump- ty of the lis voters no less of these mself re- , for not nstituled, sons. In such pi'o- d in the or justify a Grand )egs leave Montreal, which un contours nombrcux do personncs des parties ^lolgnt'es do la Province, com- prrnant des officiers dc milice ct antrcs personncs d'inlliiencc, n'appartcnant pas a I'endroit, pretes a ipouscr las intc'rcts du Candidat op|ios(% De I'autrc c6t^, votre JM6morialiste, personnellcmcnt I'trangcr dans ce bourc se voyant seul et sans support, hors ccltii des principaux hnbitans du lieu. 11 n'est done pas a supposer, comme on Ic pretend dans ccite accusation, que des actes de violence poiir restreindre laliberto des (Elections, aient pu proccdcr de la part de votre Mcroorialiste k I'aide de quatre on cinq Hourgpais (somme totale de la force physique du cot6 de votre Memorialiste) oppos^ comme 11 Tt'tait, a des centaines depersonnes sous Tinfluence d'une grande irritation, ct qui avnicut le pouvoir et finclination de venir a bout de leurs desseins. U ne pent done, et dans la nature des choses il ne pojvait y avoir aucun Ibndement pour iniputer a votre Memorialiste des actcs de violence. II n'y a pas plus de raison de lui reprocher de s'etre servi de menaces. En cherchant a maintcnir scs intcrfits comme candidat, dans une lutte tres-in^ga'e quant au nombrc, la force brute et le choix des moyens, votre Memorialiste ne pouvait se reposcr que dans lV:.ticution des lois. — Dans I'exercice de ses droits fondes sur celies-ci, il s'est en effet oppose k I'entrde des voix illegaies ; quand on a insistc la-dessus, il a ex'ge que Ton fit preterlesermentde qualification ; et quand il (^tait evident que Ton n'avait aucun droit de voter, il a effectiveinent mis sur leur garde autant quo la violence du parti opposed le lui permettait, les personnes qui allaient se compromettre en prttant le serment ; il leur a aussi mis sous les yeux (etant des personnes ignorantes et illettr(!'es) les pfinalitts auxquelles ellcs s'exposaient, et il les a inform^es qu'elles seraient pousuivies pour parjure, si elles faisaient le serment. Mais il ne fitcela, qne comme I'aurait fait tout autre candidal, di-us les memcs circonstances ; et, cen'etait de sa part que I'exercice de ses droits les plus essentiels comme candidat, sans lesquels il^ aurait pu renoncer ilia lutte. L'alleguo sur le chef qu'il avait intimide quelques-uns dis^lecteurs, tandis qu'il avait promis I'impunite a d'autres est compl^tement faux et denai- de toute espece de fondement. Sur ce point on permettra k votre Memorialiste de renvoyer aux affidavits sous le No. 4. dans i'appendice ci-annex6 No. 1. , A regard de la cinqni^me accusation, ou permettra a votre Memorialiste d'observer, qu'il n'a poursuivi personne pour parjure, avant de I'avoir bien avertie dans letems oh elle pr^tait le serment, de ne le point faire, ou, dont le manque de qualification ^tait si Evident qu'il 6tait tout doute, quant u la faussetu du ser- ment qu'elle avait prel^, Lc nombre d'instances on de faux serments qui ont eu lieu, a etd si grand, compart avec le nombre entier des voix, pour le liuurg qui est seulement de 100 a 120, que le droit legal de voter deviendrail completement iliusoire, si Tonne niettait une barrifere a ceux qui veulent I'usurper, par le raoyen du parjure. L'eifet de cette usurpation dans le cas dont i! s'agit, est Evident ; vu que ]a majority du Candidat oppose n'6tait que de deux ou trois voix, etque le notnbre de personnes, votant pour lui que Ton a pousuivies pour parjure s'est trouv<- sYlever jusqa'ii sept. Votre Memorialiste se rend tr^s-volontiers responsable, de la validity des motifs sur lesquels ces poursuites ont eti fondees. II ne pouvait, sans une viola- tion ouverte de ces devoirs, intenter les poursuites que Ton veut tnaintenant lui faire un crime de n'avoir pas port^es, pour deux raisons concluantes. £n premier lieu, personne, aucune partie privee ne I'a jamais requis d'intenter de pareilles fioursuites, et lui en a jamais merae ouvert la bouche ; et en second lieu, on ne ui a jamais mis entre les mains des preuves snffisantes, pour pouvoir I'autoriser ou le justifier, desoumettre de telies accusations devant un Grand Juri. On permettra ^ votre Memorialiste de dire, que void les faits, quant au cinquidme chef; Dans le Terme de la Cour du Banc du Roi k Montreal, qui suivit t'Elec- tion de Sorel, le Clerc de la Couronne remit entre les mains de votre Memo- rialiste* ft 1 i 16 which succeeded the Election at Sorel, there were delivered to him by the Clerk of the Crown, to whom they had been sent, several depositions charg- ing persons who had voted tor your Memorialist, with Perjury ; but, from that period to the present, no private prosecutor ever requested that these deposi- tions should be acted upon, nor has any inquiry respecting them ever been made. Upon lobking into the depositions, your Memorialist found them to have been made persons of very low conditions in life, and to be wholly insufficient to admit of any prosecution being grounded on them. He likewise found, that one -of the persons charged in tnese depositions with the Commission of Perjury, in havin-r falsely sworn to a qualification, had, indeed, voted at the Election, but his vote had not been objected to, and he had, in fact, taken no oath at ail. It was also, on the depositions of the same person, (one Joseph Allard, an indigent Carter,) by whom this charge of Perjury was thus falsely made, that two other of the charges rested. Under these circumstances, no prosecutions were, or could be, grounded on the depositions now referred to. But, it <^as deemed proper to prosecute Allard for Perjury he had committed, in charging with that offence the voter who had voted, without taking any oath ; and an indictment was accordingly found against him for perjury, in a Court of Oyer and Ternr.incr and General Gaol Delivery, held at Montreal, in November, 1827. And, in the same Session, an indictment was found against Louis Marcoux, for subornation of Perjury, in having procured him to commit the otlence. It is on these facts, that the fifth charge rests ; and from the statement now made, it is evident that no cause whatever, for such a charge, has been afforded by the conduct of your Memorialist. So far from having incurred culpability, by refusing or neglecting, to prosecute, for Per- jury, persons who voted in his favour, — your Memorialist would have been utterly deficient in common discretion, if, in the cases referred to, he had instituted such prosecutions, under the circumstances above explained. On the sixth charge, your Memorialist will beg leave to observe, that having, throughout a most disagreeable contest at the Election in question, imposed on him by a sense of duty, observed scrupulous care in assuring himself of the legal sufficiency of the qualification of the persons who voted for him, on taking the oath, while an utter disregard, on this head, was shewn on the other side ; your Memorialist may, he hopes, be permitted to express his great surprize, that such a charge should be made against him, upwards of three yeai-s after the Election, and that it should come ^om the quarter from which it proceeds. Protesting that the charge is utterly false and groundless, your Memorialise begs leave to state, that, if such . an offence had been committed, it could only be cognizable in one of His Majesty's Courts of Justice of competent jurisdiction, in the District of Montreal, where it must be made the subject of prosecution by Indictment, in Isgal course. — That the House of Assembly, for such an offence, without accusation, trial, or judgment, in a competent jurisdiction, should require the immediate punishment of your Memorialist, he cannot but think is a most extraordinary and unprecedented assumption of power, — subversive of law, right, and justice. To the foregoing considerations, which your Memorialist apprehends, might and ought to have influenced the mind of His Excellency the Governor in Chief, in relation to his suspension, your Memorialist will beg leave to add others, deserving attention ; which would also have been bronght under His Excellency's notice, if an opportunity had been afforded. The prosecutions for Libel and Perjury, referred to in the charges, were prosecutions which, though expedient and proper, and some of them urgently necessary, at the time oi' their institution, were directed against individuals, either prominent members of a political party, or the adherents of it. The parties ac- cused 17 im by tlie Ions charg- i'rom that ;8e deposi- )een made. have been insufficient 'isc found, misfion of :ed at the fact, taken me Joseph hus falsely tanccs, no :ferred to. committed, :aking any rjuiy, in a Montreal, vas found cured him rests ; and if, for such 5o far from !, for Per- fen utterly instituted it having, led on him ■ the legal :aking the ler side ; surprize, eai-s after proceeds, emorialisc it could competent le subject Assembly, competent ;morialist, nption of prehends, Governor leave to ht under ges, were urgently lis, either arties ac- cused riaiiste, plusleurs dt'positions, qii'on lui avait cnvcjyccs^ accusant i!e pmjiirc dcs personiies qui avaicnt vole pour hii ; m:iis (lc|)ui>« ccttc I'poqiio jiisqii'a ce jour, nulli' partic privrc n"a dnmaii'leqiic Ion pioc ilat *ur ccs d positions ; on ne sen est munic jamais e»iqiiis : apiis avoir examine ccs ili-positions, \otre Mcnicriaiislc s'apper^iit qu'cllcs avaicnt i.tc liiitcs par des porsonuLS lie la pins basso cliisse, ct qu ellcs n'(:taicnt pas sutHsamincnt motivccs pour quL? Ton put poursuivreon con- SL'quence. II trouvaaussi qn'une dcs pcisonnes quo ccs tlipositions accusaiuntde s'tHreparjurec, en jurant fuussomcnt qu'clle utait quulitijc, avail en cllbt vote a relectioti ; mais on nes'etait pas oppose a son vote, ct cllo navait piete aucun serment. C'^tait aussisur IcsfK'piisitions du mc'mc individu Cun nomme Josopli Allard, pauvre charreticr,) qui fit ainsi faussemcnt laccusation dc parjurc.qu claient appuye'es Ics autres accusations. Dans nnc semblable conjonctnic, I'oh no pouvait pas baser des poursuitcs sur Ics depositions dont il vicnt d'etre paile. Mais il fnt jugc a propos do pouisuivre Allard pour lo parjure qn'il avait comiuis en cliaigcant de ce crime I'electeur qui avait voti; s ms pivter lo scrnicnt ; el on tiouva matiJrc 'w. a I'accuser pour parjure, dans laCour d'Oyor ct Tcrmivior, el ile D>liviancc (ic- i^ ntrale (^General Delivery) tenuo.'i Montreal, en Novcuibre 1827. Kt dans la memo Session on trouva matiere a accqser Louis Marcoux, coinnic suborncuf de par- jure, en ayant engagfe celuici acommctfre co crime. Cc sont 1;\ les fails sur Ics. 3uels le cinquii-me chef d'accusation est base ; et d'apres le tableau quo Ton vicivt e deroulerala vue, il est evident qua la conduitc de votrc iMemorialiste, n'a ja- mais donne lieu a pareil reproclic. Bicn loin de so rendrc criminel cu refusant on negligeant dc poursuivre pour parjure, les pcrsonnes qui ont vote en sa favour, voire Memorialistc aurait manqu:^- de la discrition ordinaire, si, dans Ics cas dont on vicnt dc pailcr, il avait intenledcs poursuitcs, dans un ctatde clioscs pareil a cclui qui vienl d'etre detailk-. A regard du sixi^mc cbcf.on permcttra a votrc Memorialiste de remarqucr,quc, s'c'tant attache scrupuleusement, pendant toct le cours dune lutto emincmment desngi^ablcpourlui,et que le sentiment du devoir lui imposait, u s'assurer de la legilimite dcs qualifications de ccux qui votaient en sa favour en priilant le ser- ment ; tandis que, sur ce point, le parti contrairc montrait I'oubli le plus enlicr, il sera permis (\votre Memorialiste dct^'moigner toutosa surprise ou'on kii ait fait un semblable rcproctie, plus dc trois ans aprcs I'eloction, etsurtout, procedant de la source dont il vicnti Protestant done que cette accusation est completc- ment fausse et sans fondemont, on permettra lY voire Memorialists de dire, que s'il eut commisune semblable offense, elle ne pent qu'etre du ressort des cours de justice de Sa Majesty pour le District Montreal, oii il faut qu'oUe soit ponr- suivie d'apres le cours ordinaire de laloi. Mais que la Chambre d'Assemblee ait exige que I'^n punitimm^diatement votrc Memorialiste, sans forme, sans proces, sansjugement, c'est ce qu'il croit une usurpation de pouvoir, extraordinaire et sans exemple, et qui bouleverse toute idee du droit, de la justice, ct de ]'equit(f-. Aux considerations pr6cedentes, qui, dans la pens^e de votre Memorialiste, auraient pu infiuer sur I'esprit de son Excellence le gouverneur en chef, relative- ment a sa suspension, ilserapermis a voire M(!niiorialiste, d'en ajouler d'autres qui m^ritent d'etre considlres ; et qui cusscnt et6 mises sous les ycux de Son Excellence, si on lui en eut offert I'occasion. Les poursuitcs pour libelleset parjure dontil est parl6 dans les chefs d'accu- sation, quoique utiles et convenables, et quelques-unes d'entre elles merae d'une n^cessit^ urgente.dans le temps, ^taient dirig^es contre des personnes marquantes, soit comme fauteurs d'ua parti politique, soit comme ses adherens. Les parties incrimin^es ne cherchaient pas k se d^fendre devant les tribunaux competens, en etablissant leur innocence ; mais s'y soustrayant et lan9ant sur eux les calomnics, et la detraction, et usantde tout leur pouvoir et influence pour eluder leur proems, eux etleurs 8upp6ts cherchaient i\ ^chapper aux poursuites, par des faux fuyans et de faux exposes de toute espSce, et k les transferer k leur parti au public, a des assembl^'es privies, en un mot, au peuple, pour en diicider, C Tandis r 18 ciisctl tlitl not seek to defend themselves before the competent tribunaU, by es- tablishing their innocence ; but decHning tlicse, upon which cahimny and de- traction were made to exert all their influence, and usinc every means in tlieir power to ehidc a lej^ul trial, they and tiicir supported endeavoured to defeat the prosecutions, by misreprescnt.itions of every kind, and, in etfLxt, to transfer the consideration of thcnj to the party to which they belonged, to public and private mecting«, and, as it were, to the people. — While this course has been pursued, your Memorialist has been an object of incessant attack; falsehoods and misrepresentations respecting his conduct having been inulti|)lied without number, ni order to bring hiir\ into discredit, und, if possible, disgrace.— It is, after the employment of these means for more tlian three years, tliat the consideration of these prosecutions has been transfer- red to the House of Assembly. — In this body, the proceedings against your Memorialist have been grounded on n Petition of certain inhabitants of Mon- treal, all of whom arc members and adherents of the political party to which the accused belong ; which Petition was presented to the Assembly in a former Provincial Parliament, and by the dissolution of that Parliament, according to Parliamentary u§age, became extinct. — Upon this Petition, in a new Parliament, without any renewal of complaint on the part of the Petitioners, whose object, it is not unreasonable to suppose, was attained, by the cessation of proceedings in the prosecutions referred to, — aComnnt- tec, composed entirely of persons of tne same political party above men- tioned, and all of them animated by I strong feelings of resentment and Eolitical animosity against your Memorialist, for which no other reason can e assigned, than the honest and firm discharge of his duty, became charg- ed with the investigations,. which subsequently took place, — In the course of these investigations, the persons accused, their friends, counsel, and some of the most violent partizans of the same political party, all under the in- fluence of the same feelings, have been summoned as witnesses, before the Committee, the proceedings of which have been altogether cjrjuar/^ and secret. It is, upon the statements of such persons, actuated by motives of resentment, hostility,^; and revenge, towards your Memorialist, the cause of which is to be found in the proper execution of his official duties, and encouraged to expect his speedy ruin from these statements, made ex parti, m secret, not under oath, and without any responsibility in the persons making them, for the falsehoods they contain, that the accusation, conviction, and condemna- tion of your Memorialist, as found in the Addresses of the Assembly, have been grounded.— These circumstances, occurring in a mode of proceeding so irreconcileable with all notions of Justice, as it obtains throughout His Majesty's dominions, were, assuredly, well calculated, and might hare been expected, to have made impression on the mind of His Excellency, and have caused him to pause, before he adopted the measure of suspending your Memorialist, in compliance with the Address of Ihe Assembly. To confirm the effect which the preceding grounds and circumstances, your Memorialist humbly apprehendSj ought to have produced on the mind of His Excellency, in relation to his suspension, your Memorialist, if per- mitted, would have adverted to considerations of a personal nature, respect- ing which, except in his peculiar situation, he would have observed silence ; he means those derived from his station, past life, character, and reputation' in society, — with which the charges against him cannot be reconciled. Upon this head, he would have informed His Excellency, that he brought into the service of His Majesty, thirty one years ago, an intact, unsullied reputa- ion, ^which, among all the collisions of parties in this divided country, he has since preserved, except in so far as it has recently been assailed^ in relation '■■■••-.-_ -^4ft |v 19 ToBilis qii'on poursiiivait ccttc carrit^rc votrc ini'moi ialistc a «'t<' sans ccsse en buttc h dcs nttaqiics continucllcs ; on n'nanJait iiir sa coniluite ilcs niciisonKfs t-t tics faiissLtes sans nombrc, afin do lo (leslionorer ct dc Ic ♦aire dis^jracii r, d'il « tail possible. C'cst aprcs avoir employe tons ccs nioyc ns l.'i, pcndnnt trois ami' c» que ces poursuiles out <;t('enfin tran>.fiives a la Cliambrc d'Assemblc'c, pour y t'tre con- sideri'es. L:"*, Ics mcsiires que I'on prit contre votrc mi-njorialistc, I'lirent ap. puy(!cs sur nno requcto dc certains citoycns dc Montreal, qui, tons etaieiit Ics niembrcs ou Ics adhtrcns dii parti nuqiicl appartenaient les prcvenus, l.i(|uclle rc- qntte fut prC-scntiiea la Chambre dans un I'arlcment antirieur, etilovint dc nul cfFct par la dissolution de cc I'arlcment suivant I'usago parlenimtairc. Sur cettc rcqutHc, et sans que Ics pdtitlonnaircs eusscnt n iionvclle Icurs plaintes dans le nouvean Parlcmcnt, ayant, commc il est raisonnablc dc !e suppo- scr, atteintleur but, en faisant cesser Ics poursuites dont il a c'te parlu plus Iiaut, il I'ut nomme uncomiti', compose en enticr de pcrsonncsdu mcnic jnrti ct toutes animees par le mCmo sentiment du plus violent rcsscntimcnt ct animositi' politi- que contre votrc mcmorialistc, pourlesquclson ne pent rciicontrcrd'autrcs raisons que celles d'avoirrcmpli son devoir avec fidelittet avcc Icrmctt'. Dans le conrs de I'cnquiHc on a fait paniitre, devantcecomiti', dont toutes Ics procrdurcssc sont faitcs en secret et ex /)a;-fc, Ics pcrsonncs accusi'es, Icyrs amis, Icurs conseils, ct quclques-uns dcs partisans Ics plus violcns du ni^mc parti, qui ( taicnt tous sous rinflucnce des nirmes passions. C'cst sur I'expos^ de ccs pcrsonncs, pousse par im motif dc haine, de vengeance et d'hostilit6 cnvcrs votrc mcmorialistc, i>oin- avoir troj) fidclcmentrempli ses devoirs ofliciels ; et dans I'espirancc d'cntraincr promptemcnt sa ruine par dcs assertions faites en secret, exparte, sans scrment, ct sans rcspons:ibilitc de la part dc ccux qui les faisaient, que I'on a fondc laccusa- tion de la conviction et la condamnation de votre mCmorialiste, tels que rcquis dans la Chambre d'Asscmbl^e. Toutes ces circonstances, s'oflfrant a la Ibis, dans un mode dc proceder si incompatible avcc toute notiofl de justice, tel qu'adminis- tree dans toutes les domaincs dc Sa Majcste, litaient Ccrtaincment proprcs k fairc impression sur I'cspritde Son Excellence, et auraient du Ic fiiirc rcflcchir long- temps avant d'avoir recoursauprojet de snspcndre votrc mcmorialistc, en obiis- sance u I'adresse de la Chambre d'Assemolce. Pour assurer I'efFct que les raisons et les circonstances pr6ct'dentcs doivent, dans I'luimblc penscc de votre mcmorialistc, produire sur I'csprit de Son Excel- lence a I'egard dc sa suspension, il aurait, si on lui cut permis, touch^sur des con- siderations dune nature personncUe, que sans la position critique ou il sc trouve, il aurait passe sous silence ; voulantdire celles qui dccoulent de son etat, de savie pass6c, de son caract6rc,et de sa reputation dans la socicte, que Ton nc pent conci- iier avec les accusations qui sont il sa charge. Sur cet article, il eut informc Son Excellence que votre memorialisteapporta an service de sa Majestc, il yatrente et un ans, une r(^'pntation sans tachc, qu'il a toujours conservce, parmi toutes les collisions des partis dans un Pays aussi divise, exceptc en ce qu'elle a d'le assaillie reccmment par les poursuites dont il s'agit. Que dans le coursdc ce long espace de tems, il a successivement, rempli les fonctions d'assistant secretaire civil, de sol- liciteurg<;ncral et de procureurg^nc^ral de la Province ct que pendant la meme pfjriodc, il adt^-, et continue d'citre employe comme avocat, par la premiere clicn- tellc du Pays, II serait <5trange sans doute, anrait-il reprcsentc a Son Excellence, si, dans les inotances dont il est parle plus haut, et dans celles la seules, il cut pu oblier soudainement tous les principes qui avaient jusqn'ici regie sa vie, etforfaire son poids et son rang dans la socicte par la conduite qu'on lui attriouc. Ayant ainsi mis sous les yeux de Votre Seigneurie, Ics divers raisons, qu'il cut soumises bi Son Excelledce Lord Aylmer, si on le lui eut permis, afin de le convaincre qu'il ii'y avait pas lieu a sa suspension, votre memorialiste s'abstiendra, dans ce mo- ment de vousfatiguer par des details, ou des remarques sur les chefs d'accusation de la Chambre d'Assemblee, I'objet de ce mcmoire n'^tant pas d'entrer pleinement dans 20 i;t t* In the pro^ociiliouii in qiirniioii ;— tliat in thiH Innff period of ti'iic lie lias fill oil Micccssivi'l}', tlio oHict'N if Assistant Civil Stcntary, — (-fSiilicitor General, and of Altorncy (Jent rul of llu; I'rovinco,— iind thiit, during the rh me period lie has bren, and ooiitiniics to bo •Migv,'t'd, m an Advocsiti-, in ilii! tirst (iro- fcssiuiial practice in tin; cmintry. It would bo singulitr iiidccil, he would iiavT had rt-ason to rcpn sent to His ICxccllcncy, if, on iho occnRions referred to in the (liargi's, and on tlicin only, your McmorialiHt could suddenly have forgotten the ]irineipleH hy wliicli his lilu han been regulated, und have tor- feitcd his standin;; in society, by the conduct which has been imputed to him. Your Memorialist having thus brought under your Lordship's notice the several groundn which, if |)crni:ttcd, he would have submitted to His Excel- lency Lord Aylmcr, in order to satisfy His Kxcellency, that his suspension ought not to lake place, will abstain, nt this moment, from troubling voui Lordship with any fiirlher di tails, or observations, on the charges o: fhe House of Assembly ; the object of this Mcmoriil being not to enter I'.to the full defence and justification of your Memorialist, but to plar • Mie sub- ject of his suspension before your Lordship, precisely as it >.ouhl ,'.r o been placed before Ilis Kxcellency, previous to his order of siispi ri6i''i,, if His Excellency had permitted it to be done; and with the same materials only on which the judgment of His Excellency might have been exercised. Your Memorialist will not, thei'efore, trespass on your Lordship, by of- fering any remarks on a Document called " a copy of the ev idcnce received by the Committee of Grievances, &c." — respectin;? which, it appeors, an Address was presented to His Excellency on the 2Gtli March, praying him to transmit it to Your Lordship, lo be laid at the ioot Of the Throne ; this Document not appearing to have been under His Excellency's cnnsideration, with a view to the suspension of.. your Memorialist, and a perfect copvof it not hav- ing reached the hands of your Memorialist. On this, as welf as every other part of the case, it is tlv intention of your Memorialist, in person, to lay before your Lordship um fullest answers and explanations ; and with this view, after obtuiniii,^ leave of absence from His Excellency the Governor in Chief, he pur^ uses proceeding to England, as soon as the arrangement of his private atfairs, and the state of the roads will permit. Your Memorialist, under the pressure of great inconvenience, injury, and loss, occasioned by his suspension, derives consolation froin the near pros- peel it holds out to him, of an opportunity for self-defence and justification, and shall ns soon as he can do so in person, have the honor of entreating your Lordship to lay at the foot of the Throne his humble Petition, that ' His Majesty will be gracious pleased, in such manner as he may think fit to prescribe, to afford him the means ot defending himself against, and disproving the charges contained in the Addresses of the Assembly. Claiming, therefore, from His Majesty''- Covnment, the protection duo to him, not only as a yviblic officer holding a ii'!,ii - 'I'dal «tation in this Pro vincc, but as one of His Majesty's faithful s'lhjpci.s, I > i.umbly j .;yd that be may not be punished, by the loss of office, > ! jjeri^OLual disgrace, before he has had the benefit of a hearing: and, confining himself, at this moment, to the subject of his present Memorial, he also humbly pray^, that the order of His Excellency the Governor in 'Chief, by which he has bren suspended from the office of' Attorney General, may under the authority of your Lordship, beset aside, and that he may be re-instated in the exerciseof his said office. And- as in duty bmind, your Memorialist'will ever retain a grateful .sense> of the iiAliceof your Lordship. • J. STUART, Jttjf, GtnUftr Louver Canada. Quebec, 14th April, 1831. II 21 (Innila (liTi'nscct la ju rificalton do votro momorialittc : mai« simplcmciu du in«t* tro VdtrcSoigncuriu a i tait r Ijlivcmcnt ."t sa suipciiHion, tU- ia iiu'inc inaincrc V{»ril lout fait vis-iVvis dc m Excelluiicc. uvant I'onlrc tie sa sinpciisiuii, si oil Ic kjt cut pcrmis ; < t avof ics loi'inei nioy«iv6 uuleuiunt, qui aiiraicnt pu iclaircr U C4M^'<. science do Son riXicUcnce. Votre mi'mori:il. 'e n'abuscia J( ni' pai de I'iiuliilgcm ^' de Vdr re ScigtKwrw, par uu commentairc siir unc c»p<''cc, miituk'. " Coptc tin icinoignag'c rc<,u devaiit lo •' Comit6 des Griefs" &c. ii I'lgarddc laqucHe, il paraitqu'il fut fT^seni*' i Son Kxccllcnce unc udrcssc Ic i.'(i mars, la priaiit de la traii^inettrc i viarc Scigiicuriu, pour (Jtrc misH au pieds du Trone ; comnic il parait pas que cello piece fut sous Icsyeuxdc son Excellence, lors de sa suspension, ct qu'il n'a pas cucori: eu occa- sion d'en voir unc copie correcto. Sur cc point, commo sui hucn d'autrcs, votrc nu'morialistc sc propose de vous donncr, en pcrnonnc, les ipomsiis ct les cxplif;a- tions Ics |)lu8nmples : ct dans ccttc vue, apros avoir obtcnu de Son Excellence kf- gouverneuren cljcf la permission de s'absc nter, il ade^sem de |Kirtirpour iWugle- terre, nussit()t que I'arrangcnient do scs affaires, ei 1 < tat des clicmins Ic tut |)er« mcttront. Votrc m^morialistc, au milieu des inconveniens, des dommages, ct du pre- judice que lui occasionncnt sa suspension, sc console ntanmoins en cnvisapcant la perspective procliainc qu'il a dc so d^Tciidrc ct de sc iustifler, ct I se (era I honaeur, aussitot qu'il pourra !e fairc en n^ rsonixe, de supplier votre Seigneuric dc mcttrc aux picds du Tr6no son humble iiu|)|)lique, aiin qu'il plaisu u sa Majesty dc !a mani^rc que bon lui semblera, dc lu> 'unner les moyens dc se d^fendrc, et dc refutcr les accusations contenues dans os adresscs de la Chanibrc d'AssemblOo. R^'clamant, done, du gouvcrnement de sa Majeste h protection qui lui eie due, non sculement commc oificier .Public, occupant ui o des hautes charges de la province, mais comme tideic sujct de sa Majesty-, votrt mc^morialistc dcmandc humblementqu'on ne le punisso pas par la perte dc son emploi, et par une disgrace perp6tuelle, avant qu'on lui ait donn(!; I'avantage de sc fair>- entendre ; et se bor- nantdansce moment i^l'objet de sonm^-moirc, il demandc en toute humility, que I'ordre de son Excellence le Gouverneur en Chef qui le suspend de sa charge ie Procureur G^n^ral, soit annul6, sous I'autorite dc votre Seigncurie, et qu'il satt K'instal^e dans son emploi. Et votre m^morialiste, commc devoir gardera tXiu- jours avec reconnaissance le souvenir de la justice de votre Scigneurie. Quebec, 14 Avril 1831. .1. STUART, Proc. General du Bas-Canada. 22 APPENDIX. No. L Letter from J. Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General, to His Excellency Lord Aylmer, Governor in Chief, <§c. Quebec, 14th April, 1831. My Lord, I do myself the honor to transmit, herewith, a Memorial to the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Goderich, one of His Majesty's Prmcipal Secretaries of State, relating to my suspension firom the Office of Attorney General, which I request your Excellency will do me the favor to transmit to His Lordship. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient Humble servant, (Signed,) His Excellency LordJylme)', Governor in Chief, S^c. S,-c. %c. True Copy, J. STUART. J. STUART, Atty. Genl. No. IL Letter from J. Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General, to Lieutenant Colonel Glegg, Secretary to His Excellency the Governor in Chirf. SiK, Quebec, 14th April, 1831. It being my desire, as soon as circumstances will permit, to proceed cced to England, for the purpose of submitting, to the consideration of His Majesty's Government, the causes of complaiut, on my part, which, I humbly apprehend, have been aflbrded by the order of His Excellency the Gover- nor in Chief, suspending me from the office of Attorney General for this Province, and also of prefeiring my humble Petition to liis Majesty, to be allowed an opportunity of defending myself against, and disproving, the charges contained in the Address of the Assembly of this Province, to His Majesty, for 23 APPENDICE. No. I. Letlre de J. Stuart, Ecui/er, Procureur-General, a Soti Excellence Loan AvtiiEn, Gouverneiir en Chtf, <§-c. Quebec, 14» Anil, 1831. MoN SrJGNEun, J'ai I'lionneur de transmettre, ci-joint, un M(5raoire au Trcs-Honorablc Lord Viscomte Goderich, un des principaux Secretaires d'Etat de Sa Majeste, ail suiet dc ma suspension de I'Office de Procureur-G^ncral, que je prie Votrc Excellence de me faire la favour de transmettre a Sa Seigneurie. J'ai I'honneur d'etre, Mon Seigneur, Le tr^s-humble et tres-obeissant serviteur de Votre Seigneurie, A Son Excellence Lord Aylmer, Governeur-en-Chef, S^c. S^c. <§«. Vraie Copie. J. STUART. (Signe,) J. STUART. Pro.-Gen^ral. No. II. Leitre (/e J,. Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-GenSral, au Lieutenant-Colonel Glegg, Secretaire de Son Excellence le Goiiverneur-en-Chcf. Monsieur, Quebec, 14 Avril, 1831. D^sirant, aussitut que les circonstances me le permetront, me rendre en ■ Angletcrre, pour soumettre {\ la consideration du Gouverneraent de Sa Majeste, les sujets de plainte, de ma putt, que m'a donnes, comme je le pensc humblement, I'ordre de Son Excellence le Gouverneur en Chef, qui me suspend de I'office de Procureur-G<^n6ral pour cette Province -, et aussi pour presenter mon hum- ble Petition a Sa Majesty, demandant une occasion de me defendre centre et de repousser les accusations contenues dans I'adresse d^ I'Assembl^e de cette Pro- vince, a Sa Majesty, pour me faire destituer du tatme office ; je demende que vous ; ■ 24 for my removal from the same office ; I request yoii will do me the favor to submit to His Excellency, my respectful application for leave of absence from this Province, for that purpose, and that you will make I'me acquainted with Plis Excellency's pleasure on this head. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient Humble Servant, (Signed,) Lieutenant Colonel Glegg, Secretary^ Sfc. True Copy, J. STUART. J. STUART. Atty. Genl; , ■] No. III. Letter from His Excellency Lord Aylmeh, Governor in Chief, to J. Stuart, Esquire, Mlorney General. Sir, Castle of Saint Lewis, Quebec, 15th April, 1831. I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 14 th instant, together with a bundle of papers therein described as a Memorial to Lord Viscount Goderich, relating to your suspension from the Office of Attorney General, which papers shall be transmitted by me agreeably to your request, along with my next Despatches, to be sent off in the course of a few days, for the Colonial Department. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient Humble servant, . (Signed,) The Honble, James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General. True Copy, J. STUART. AYLMER. 1 No. IV. H ■ 25 vous me fassiez la faveur de soumettre ^ Son Excellence m'a demarJe respcc- tueuse d'un cong6 d'absence de cette Province, pour cette fin, et de ire faire con- naitre le plaisir de Son Excellence k cet egard. J'ai rhonneur d'etre, Monsieur, votre tr^s-liumble ct ob^issant serviteur. Lieutenant-Colonel Glegg, Secretaire, S{c. Vraie Copie. . ,. J. STUART. (Signfe.) J. STUART. Proc.-Gtnl. No. III. Lellre de Son Excellence le Gouverneneur-en-Che/d J. Stuart, Ecuj/ar, Procurenr General. Chateau St. Louis, Quebec, 15 Avril, 1831. Monsieur, J'ai I'honneur d'accuser la reception de votre Lettre du 14 courant, ac- conipagn^e d'un paquet de papiers qui y est d^crit comme ^tant un Memoire au Lord Viscotnte Goderich, au sujet de votre suspension de I'office de Procureur- G^n^ral, lesquels papiers seront par moi transmises conformement a votre de- mande, avec mes prochaines Depeches, qui seront envoyees sous peu de jours, pour le Departement Colonial. J'ail'honnenr d'fitre, Monsieur, votre tr^s-humble et ob^issant serviteur, * (Sign^,) L' Honorable James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-General. Vraie Copie. , . J. STUART. AYLMER. No. IV. 26 No. IV. Letter Jrom Lieut. Col. Glegg, Secretary to His Excellency the Governor in Chief, to J. Stuart, Esq., Attorney General. Siu, Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, 15tli April 1831. Haviriff laid your letter of yesterday's date before His Excellency llie Ciovcrnor in Chief, requesting pernriission to proceed to England, I am command- ed to transmit you the necessary authority for that purpose. I have the honor to be, Sir, , Your most obedient humble servant, Honble. the Attorney General, &;c. S^-c. (Signed,) J. B. GLEGG, Secy. True Copy, J. STUART. $ n No. V. Letter Jrom His Excellency Lord Aylsier, Governor in Chief , to J. Stuart, Esq. Attorney General. Silt, Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, l6th April, 1831. I could not fail to remark in your letter of the 14th instant, applying for leave of absence to proceed to England, that an intention is announced of " sub- " uiitting to the consideration of His Majesty's Government, the causes of com- •■ plaint, on your part, which you humbly apprehend have been aiforded, by^ my •' order suspending you from the office of His Majesty's Attorney General for this '• Province." I thus find myself placed in a defensive posture, and in order to obviate the delay which the reterence of your complaints from England to Canada, and the receipt of the reply thereto would necessarily create, I propose to you to commu- nicate them to me now, in drder that the complaints and my defence, may be brought together under the consideration of His Majesty's Government. I likewise consider it necessary to observe that I am unacquainted with the contents of the bundle of unsealed papers, which accompanied your letter of the 14th instant, and which is therein described as a Memorial to the Right Honorable Lord Viscount Goderich, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient humble servant. (Signed,) The Honorable James Stuart, Attorney General. True Copy. J. STUART. AYLMER. Governor in Chief. No. VL )r in Chitf, ellency the coininand- G, Secy. 27 No. IV. leiire du Lieutenant-Colonel Gleog, Secretaire de Son Excellence le Gouxerneur- cn.Chefi a J. Stuaut, Ecuycr, Procureur-Gcneral. ChiUeaii St. Louis, l.-; Avril 1831, Monsieur. Ayant mis votre Lettre dat(5e d'liier devant Son Excellence Ic Goiiver- neur-en-Chef, demandant la permission de vous rendrc en Angleteire, j'ai ordic Je voiis transmettro I'autoritd n^'cess.iire k cet fin. J'ai I'honneur d\t:€, Monsieur, votre tr^s-humble et obdissant servitcur. V Honorable Procureur^eneral, Sfc. S^-c, Vraie Copie. J. STUART, (Signi',) J. B. GLEGG. Secretaire. ruART, Esq. >nl, 1831. applying for id of " sub- ises of com- rded, by^ my aeral for this I obviate the ada, and the I to comma- nee, may be tnt. :ed with the letter of the lit Honorable [){ State. LMER. ir in Chief. No. V. Lettre de Son Excellence Lord Aylmer, Gouverneur-en-Cfief, a J. Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-Gdneral. Chateau St. Louis, Quebec, 16 Avril, 1831; Monsieur, Je ne pouvais mariquer de remarquer dans votre Lettre du 14 courant, demandant un cong« d'absenoe pour vous rendre en Angleterre, que vous y anooDcee I'intention de " soumettre h la consideration du Gouvernement de Sa " Majeate, lessujets de plaintes, 4e votre part, que vous a donn^, comme vous le " pensez humbleflient, mon ordre qui vous a uuspendu de I'oifice de Procureur< '• Gen^-al de Sa Mojeste pour cette Province." Je me trouve ainsi place dans la df General, to the Right Honorable Lord Vis- count GoDEiucn, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of' Stale. Quebec, IGth April, 1831. My Lord, Having been recently subjected to suspension from the Office of His Majesty's Attorney General for this Province, by an order of His Excellency Lord Aylmer, Governor in Cliicf, 1 have had the honor of addressing to your Lordship, through His Excellency, a Menrtorial on this subject, which His Excel- lency has assured me he will transmit to vour Lordship, together with his own Despatches, a few days hence. Anxious, however, to obviate the effect of any accidental miscarriage of my Memorial, to be conveyed through his Excellency, 1 beg leave herewith to transmit to your Lordship, by private conveyance, a copy of the same Memorial, and of the same Documents annexed to it, which are now in Lord Aylmer's hands, and which His Excellency, in his letter to me, of which a copy is herewith transmitted, notices under the name of "a bundle of papers •• described as a Memorial to Lord Viscount Goderich.' Expecting to have the honor of submitting in pers^on to your Lordship, in a short time, the particulars of the case sot forth in this Memorial, I abstaiu from troubling 3^our Lordship by adding any thing at this moment to the statements contained in it. I may however, perhaps, be permitted, in the singular situation in which I am placed, to notice the aggravated hardship which, in consequence of Lord Aylmer's order of suspension, I labour under, — in being suddenly, and un- expectedly compelled to relinquish and withdraw myself from a lucrative professi- onal practice, which cannot be easily regained ; — in being deprivedof considerable oHicial emoluments ; — in being made to incur, from the two causes last mentioned, an immediate, certain and absolute pecuniary loss of several thousand pounds ; — in being subjected to temporary discredit, if not disgrace, and an entire derange- ment of my business, pursuits, and plan of life ; — and constrained to travel three thousand miles, to answer charges, which are not in a form to be susceptible of answer and investigation, which the party from which they proceed, there is reason to believe, never expected would be answered or investigated,— and which, when they are enquired into, will be found to oe utterly groundless. i 'IT i li In these circumstances, requiring the exercise of some fortitude, I place the most perfect reliance on the justice of His Majesty's tjovernment, and do not, for an instant, doubt that what is right and proper in this matter, will be done without regard to the inequality of the parties. I have the honor to be, my Lord, With the greatest respe-c. Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant. The Right Honorable Lord Viscount Goderich, J. STUART, Ally, Genl. for Lower Canada. SfC. «fc. &;c. True Copy. J. STUART. Nc. VJII. : I) 31 Lord Vis- tale. 1831. ice of His xcellcncy J to your lis Excei- his own ect of any Ixceilency, ce, a copy ih are now of which of papers Uhip, in a itaiu from statements r situation nsequence y, and un- /e profess!- >nsiderable nentioned, )ounds ; — e derange- ravel three ceptible of , there is and which, [ place the nd do not, 1 be done rvant, tT, er Canada. No. VII. Leilre de J. Stuart, Ecuyer, Proctireur-GSnSral, au 'J. honorable Lord Vi- comte GoDEiiicn, un de» principaux Secretaires d'Etat dc Sa Mnjeste. Quebec, 16 Avril ISH. MoN Seigneur, Ayant ti^ rdcemment mis sous suspension do I'Office de Procureur-Cn'- nCral de Sa J\laje9t6 pour cette Province, par un ordrc de Son Excellence Lord Aylmcr, Gouverneur en Ciicf, j'ai eu I'honneur d'adresser a votre Seigncurie, par le Canal de Son Excellence, «n M^-moirc sur cc sujet, que Son Excellence m'a assur^; quelle transmettrait k votre Seigneurie, avec ses propres dt/pechcs, il y a quehiues jours. D^sirant, ccpendant, obvior a I'effet d'aucun accident qui cmpCchciait la transmission de mon m^moirc, qui doit ('trc transmis par la voie dc Son Excellence, je demandc a transmettre ci-joint i\ votre Seigneurie, par voic privt'e, uno copie du meme m^-moire, et des momes documens y annexes, qui sont maintenant cntre les mains de Sun Excellence, et que Son Excellence, dans ime lettre qu'elle m'a adressee, dont copie vouS est transmise ci-jointe, a mcntionne sous le nom d'un " paquct de papiers dt-crit comme <;tant un AKmoire an Lord " Vicomte Goderich." EsptJrant avoir I'honneur de soumetlre ;i Votre Seigneurie, sous pcu et cii personne, les di^tails de I'afFaire ^nonc6e dans ce Memoire, je m'abstiens dc trou- blcr Votre Seigneurie, en ajoutant quelquc chose, en ce moment, aux exposes qui y sont contenus. II me sera cependant permis, peut-etrc, dans la situation particulicre dans laquelle je me trouve plac^, de remarquer les diHicultes ags;ra- vt'cs ou m'a mis I'ordre de suspension de Lord Aylmer, en ^tant forc6 soudainc- ment et ii I'improviste forc6 de laisser et de me rctirer d'une pratique profession- nelle lucrative qui ne pourra ais6ment s'obtenir de nouveau ; en me trouvant priv^ d'emolumens ofticiels considerables ; en me trouvant, expose, par les deux causes mentionnees en dernier lieu i\. une perte pecuniaire immediate, certaine et absolue de plusieurs miltiers de louis ; en etant c\pos6 i\ un discrt^dit temporaire, sinon h. la disgrace, et k un entier derangement dans mes ati'aires, mes occupations et mon plan de vie ; et oblig^ a faire trois cents lieues pour repondrc a des accu- sations, qui ne sont pas dans une forme qui les rend susceptiblcs de reponse et d'investigation, que la partie d'o'ii elle procede a cru, comme il y a lieu de le penser, ne devoir jamais etre suivies d'une r^ponse ni d'une investigation, ct qu'on trouvera sans aucun fondement, lorsqu'elles auront cte le sujet dune en- qu6te. Dans ces circonstances, qui demandent I'exercice de quelque force d':ime, je repose la plus grande confiance dans la justice du Gouvernement de Sa Majcst^, et je ne doute pas, pour un instant, qu'il ne soit fait ce qui est de droit et de convenance, sans aucun dgard pour I'in^galitd des parties. J'ai I'honneur d'l^tre, Mon Seigneur, Avec le plus grand respect, De Votre Seigneurie le tres-humble et ob^issant serviteur, J. STUART, Procureur-Gdnl. du Bat- Canada. Au Tret-honble. Lord Viamk Goderich, ^. S^c^c. Vraie Copie. J. STUART. 32 No. VIII. Letter from His Excellency Lord Aylmer, Governor in Chief, to J. Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General. Castle of Saint Lewis, Quebec, 18th April, 1831. Sir. I have the honor of transmitting, for your information, a copy of a letter addressed by me to Lord Goderich, on the subject of that part of your Memo- rial to His Lordship, which regards myself. I have only to add, with reference to your letter of the ]6lh, that in desig- nating your Memorial as a bundle of unsealed papers, nothing more was intended than to give you to understand that I was unacauainted with their contents, which I was not at that time expressly authorized by you to peruse. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, (Signed,) The Honorable James Stuart, Attorney General, True Copy. J. STUART. AYLMER, Governor in Chief. No. IX. [Cojy of the Letter referred to in the foregoing Letter .] Castle St. Lewis, Quebec, 18th April, 1831. My Lord, I have the honor of transmtting to you herewith, a Memorial addressed to your Lordship by the Attorney General of this Province, in which 1 am charged with injustice, in having suspended him from the exercise of his office as Attorney General. It will not be necessary for me to trespass long on your Lordship's time in meeting this charge, for the case itself, (in as far at least as I am individually concerned,) and my defence are comprised in a small compass. The House of Assembly, during their last Session, drew up a Petition to the King, containing very serious charges against the Attorney General, amongst which was one of subornation of perjury. This Petition was presented to me by the House in a body, their Speaker being at their head, and with all the solemnity which belongs to constitutional forms, requesting that I would forward it to your Lordship, for the urpose of being laid at the foot of the Throne ; and the House, at the same time, presented to me an Address, which had been carried without a dissentient voice, calling upon me to suspeiid the Attorney General from the exercise of his office, until His Majesty's pleasure sliould be known on the subject of the charges preferred in their Petition. .. i»;. . ' It 1 J. Stuart, ■ iril, 1831. 1 y of a letter Dur Memo- 1 lat in design as intended /';■! r contents, ■1 t f ER, in Chief. / " S8 • ' ' No. VIII. Leltre de Son Excellence Lord Avt.MER, Gouverneur en Chef, a .1. Stl \m, EcuyeVf Procureur-Gen^ral. Chateau St. Louis, Qu(:;bcc, 18 Avril 1S31. Monsieur, J'ai I'iionneiir de transmettrc, pour votrc information, oopic d uiic Icttrc par moi adrcssd'e au Lord Godericii, au siijet dc la partie do votrc Mcmoiic ;'< Sa Seigncurie, qui inc rcgarde. 11 ne me reste qu'i\ ajouter, a I'egard de votre Icttre du lO, qu'en disignuiit votrc iMumoirc conime un paquet de papiers non scellis, je n'avais d'autie inten- tion que cello de voiis donner i\ entendre, que j'ignorais Ic contcnu, u't taut pas alors cxpressi^mcnt autorisi' par vous dc Ics lire. J'ai riionneur dVtre, Monsieur, \'otre trcs-humble ct ob^issant scivitcur, (Signe) AYLMKIl, Gouverneur en Chef. A I'JIonorable James Stuart, Procureur-General. Vraie Copie. J. STUART. il, 1831. I addressed hich 1 am cise of his >'s time in ndividually Petition to 1, amongst ir Speaker n^titutional ^ arpose of , presented ailing upon , until His referred in ' It No. IX. Copie de la lettre mentlonnie dans la letlrepreccJenle. Chateau St. Louis, 18 avril 1831. MoN Seigneur, ■ J'ai I'honneur de vous transmettre, ci-joint, un m^moire adresse a Votre Seigneurie, par le Procurcur Gen<5ral de cette province, dans lequel je suis ac- cuse d'injustice, pour I'avoir suspendu de I'exercise de son office de Procureur Gen(?ral. Je pourrai me dispenser d'ubuser longtemps de "I'indulgcnce de Votre Sei- gneurie, pour repousser cette accusation, car I'affaire, (en autant que j'y suis individuellement concerne,) ct ma defense se reduiser.t a peu de mots. Cette petition m'a ^;te presentee par la Chambre en corps, I'Oratcur a sa tele, et avec toute la soVennitcqui appaitient aux formalites constitutionuelles, me demandant de la transmettre a Votre Seigneurie, pour qu'elie fiit mise au pied du tione ; et la Chambre ep nieme temps me progenia unc adresse, qui avaitpass6ea I'unanimitc, me demandant de suspendre le Procureur General de son office, jusqu'A ce que le plaisir de Sa Majesty fiit connu, sur le sujet des accusations port<;es dans sa pd-tition. E Ce H f If I M,lf It was in compliance with this request, that I conceived it necessary and expedient to take ihc important step, which now constitutes the subject of the Attorney (Jencrol'sc implaiul agiuixt ni«, ot) the ground that 1 ought, in justice, tu have enquired in' ., the matter coutaiu«d in th« Petition, before I proceeded to visit him with what he considers (erroneously, as 1 must think,) a measure of puniiiinncnt. In tiie view which I have taken of this case from the beginning, it appears to mc, tliat to enter into the merits of it, was not only foreign to the course which my duty prescribed, hut that it woidd also have been highly disrespectful on my part towards His Majcvty, to step in betwven tlie House of Assembly and His Majesty, to witom titeir Fetition was directly addressed, and bpr an act of mine, to announce that I had formed an opinion on tbt subject, which was ex* pressly submitted for the Koyni oonsidcratioa. Nether can I be brought to tlnok, that it can juelly be inferred from the aufu pensionof the Attorney (j«neral, that I had lak«i part with th« House of As< scmbly against him, for he finds hiiaself now merely in the situation of an accus> cd person, previous tn the investigation of a charge preferred against him. It is a situation in which I may shortly find myself, in conscqaenco of the act of which he now complains, and, if 1 may be permitted to Iook to my own profes- sion for an illustration of hia case, the Attorney General is exactly in the posi- tion of an Officer under an arrest previous to trial by a Court Martial, — a situ- ation in which some of the most honorable' men that ever existed have found themselves, without ever tnftfling injustice to the authority by which they have been so placed. I feel assured that I might eoofrdpntlj refer to the Despatch of Lord Bathurst, of the 7th of July, 1817, to Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, when Gover- nor of this Colony, for a justification of mv proceeding en this occasion ; and I feel also assured, that in turning over the leaves of the Paiiiamentary History of Lower Canada, I should not have to go fur without finding further arguments in support of it ; but I will consent to take this, as an entirely new case, and I will contend that my proceeding is perfectly jtntifiable, on the grounds already stated. I forbear to enter into all the political considerations connected with the state of the public mind in this Colony, which might, with great reason, be brought forward in justification of my proceeding ; for I feel assured, that in answering the charge of injustice brot^hk against me by the Attorney General, I stand in no neeO of the support to be derived from such consideration. 1 have oalv a few words to add,— end they shall be very few, because they relate personally to myself. I am equally incapable of knowingly committing an act of imustice, or of unnecessary severity : The whole lenor of my public life attests tnis fact ; and I can assare your Lordsbifi, that no one act of that public life has ever cost me so much pain of mind, as that which forms the ground of the AttorneyGeneral's cenoplaiat against me. — It was forced upon roe by an imperative sense of duty, and had the individual concerned been my own brother, I could not have acted otherwise. 1 have the honor to be, my Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient hamble servant, A True Copy. («giied,) Ctrtitkci, fflEI>l<. r. MAITLANU, Aid ' de la punition, sans pnninirc les nccusalioiis, saii^i preuvc d'aucune < ffen.se, et hums que jeme siiis deleiidu iii (pic i'aie eii occasion de lo fail c. Jc dmiando .1 fa ire rcniarquer respectiuseiuciit ([ue c'csti'i .Son Kxcellence ;\ bicu coiisidi ler, avunt qu'un tcl mode de proc(!der n'(;oive .sa sanction, I'injustice ojfcnsive qu'il rcnfeniie, et les coiisC-qucnces qii'oii d(jit en apiinlicnder, duns son application au.x otKciers publics en gtneial, mais .siirtoiit loisqu'il est dirigti coiitre mi odicier que se.< devoirs ofliciels rcndent particu- liureii ent snjct aux accusatiuiis malveiiiuntcs et sans principcs d'agitatcnrs populaircs. .le serais bienaisc, ct memc ^ la hate cl autant que inc le |)criiiettraieiit les occupations otiiciclics multiplircs qui deniandait mon attention, dVntror imm(3< diatemcnt dans dcs explications qui convainccraieiu Son Excellence, que les accusations dont il sagit, ii'ont pas sculemciit I'onibrc dc fondeincnt. M-tis taut que Son Excellence les reticiidr.', sans nic les communiquci', jo ne puis, sur la simple conjecture do legr nature, ou sur le bruit populaire, me liazarder iX otlrir dc tellc.s explications. Cependant, afin oue .Son Excellence, avant dVn veiiir a la di'tcrmination a laqueilc il est fait allusion dans voire leltrc, iic soit pas priv(;e au moin»de quelques informations, de nature, conimu ou peut s'y attendre, a inHucr sur oette determination, jo demandc :\ traiisnicttre avec la prescute, pour ctre mises sous les yeux dc Son Excellence, copies des attidavits de J. K. Welles, <5cuyer, Robert Jones, ecuycr, A. Von litiand, tctiyer, ct de MM. Uurke, Carter, Glackemeyer, et Louis Paul ; h I'egard des precedes qui ont eu lieu 11 I'^lcction def"'orel, auxquels les accusations mentionnees dansvotre lettre, coinme j'ai lieu de )e croire, se rapporteut en partie. J'ai I'honncur d'itre, Monsieur, Votre trtis-luimble et obtissant serviteur, J.STUART. Frocureur-Geiieral. g Letter. M Lieut. Col. Glegg, Secretaire, &c. &c. Affidavits dc 3. K. Wells, Ecr. tnetitionne dans la lettre precddenlc. PROVINCE DU BAS-CANADA, Jniy, Esquire, len years j)ast, nted with the said Borough, rd One thou- ring the con- of the voters tcs, and were James Shiart liat neither on I James Stuart state, DlSTKICTDE \ Quebec. < > Savoir : JOHN KENT WELLS, du Bourg de William Henry. Ecuyer, jure, Qu'il est inaintenant, eta (-te depuis plus de dix-neuf ans, Agent de Sa Majeste pour la Seigneurie de Sorel. Qu'il a eu connaissance des precedes qui ont eu lieu il I'E- lection contest^e du dit Bourg, qui s'y fit dans le mois de Juillet, dans faunae de notre Seigneur, mil-huit-cent-vingt-sept,et qu'il f'ut journellement au Poll durant Jadite Election, Qu'il ctait pr(^8ent, lorsque James Stuart, Ecuyer, un des Can- didats objecta au vote de quelques Electeurs, et qu'il les obligea de prater le ser- nient de qualification, et qu'il entendit le dit James Stuart leur expliquer les c n- s^quences d'un faux serment. Que ni dans ces occasions, ni dans aucune autre quelconque, 48 state, or in any manner intimate, tiiat lie, us Attornoy Cicncral, had alone the power of |)roscL'uliiij( persons for I'crjury, and th;it lie would prosuciitc those who voted against liiin, lor that oti'enco, while those who voted for him had nothini; to fear J— nor (lid ill' ever iicar the saiil James Stuart utter any words of such import, or that couUl bear such an interpretation ; nor did he ever hear, cithcr durin^ or siibsetpicntly to the said KIcction, that such words, or words of siinilar import, liad ever been used by the said James Stuart, until, to his surprize, he lieard Mr. Wolfred Nelson, on his examination as a witness on the trill of An- toine Anssant for I'erjnry, at the said Election, in thu Court of King's Bench at Montreal, in March last, declare that such words had been used by the said James Stuart. — That the Deponent does not think that such extraordinary words could have been uscil at tin; said Election, without their being made a subject of conversation then, orsubsetpiently, so as to have reached his ears. — That the De- ponent was principally referred to by the said James Stuart, during the saidElcction, for information, respecting the qialifiation of the voters, and in every instance within the knowledge of the Depcnent, in which the right of a person dcsitons of voting for the said James Stuart, was deemed doubtful, the particulars of his qualification were en(piired into by the said James Stuart, and if his right was found defective, he was told so, and his vote was not accepted. That, to the knowledge of the Deponent, several persons who had voted at former elections for the said Borough, and were desirous of voting for the said James Stuart, liaving submitted to him, during the election, and towards its close, the parti- culars of their supposed right, were informed by him, that they were without the necessary qualification to entitle them to vote, and that he therefore declined their votes, which in consequence were not given.- That among these persons whose votes were so rejected, there were a I\Ir. John Carter, a gentleman residing in the Borough, who had voted at former elections, and who was willing to swear to his qualification, and one Gingras, and two or three other persons, whose names the Deponent does not now recollect, who were also willing to swear to their qua- lification : — And to the Deponent's knowledge, the siiid Gingras, and the said two or three other persons, at the same critical period of the election, and when a single vote might decide the result, by the desire of the said James Stuart, were sent to a distance from the Borough, at his expense, lest the partisans of the adverse Candidate (some of whom were known not to be scrupulous on this head) might induce them to swear, and vote for him. That the expense of sending these persons out of the way, amounting to eight dollars, was paid by the De- ponent, and reimbursed to him by thr- said James Stuart, after the election was over. That the Deponent was present when several of the voters, who have since been prosecuted for perjury, were sworn to their qualification, and heard the said Wolfred Nelson encourage thcRi, in the most pressing manner, to take the oath, assuring them that no harm would happen to them from it, and that he would stand between them and harm. — And the Deponent further saith, that it is within his knowledge, that in objecting to the qualification of voters, as well in his attempts to make them aware of the consequences of taking a ialse oath, the said James Stuart experienced the greatest difficulty in obtaining a hearing, by reason of the loud clamours, and the interruption proceeding from the adverse Candidate and his partisans, and the encouragement given to the voters to take the oath, at all hazards. And further this Deponent saith not. (Signed,) Sworn at the City of Quebec, the 21st day of May, 1830, before me, (Signed,) EDVVD. BOWEN, J. B. R. True Copy, J. STUART. JOHN K. WELLES. Affidavit ^ ^-1 49 irprizc, lio ill of Aii- ig's Ik'iicli by the saiil nary words I subject of bat tlio De- iciKlcctiori, 31 instance esirous oK iilars of his s rigiit was 'bat, to the er elections ncs Stuart, the fiarti- witbout the clineii their sons whose residing in CO swear to hose names their qua* id the said and when lies Stuart, isans of the 1 this head) of seuding by the De- lection was ) have since heard the :o take the ind that he lith, that it >rs, as well ialse oath, a hearing, the adverse iters to take ELLES. iiiiclcnnquc, 11 nVntcndit Ic (lit James Stuart dire, nu donncr a entendre d'iiucunc niiuii re, (luf lui, rouune i'mciMLur-Ji n ral, avait seid lo pouvoir ilu poiiriuiN if IcHKcns'iiour parjuro, ot qii'il pour^iiivrail diix (pii votiiaicnt coiitr^- liii, pour crltooflcii^i.'. liuiilisipi"' ctMi\ (|ui voicraiiMit pour liii n avaient rion i nainiiro ; nt n'a iannJ!* cntcMubi I ■ liil Janus Stuart proiionccr aucii;iu paioK'ii ci't ctlcl, on ipii ixHi'aicnt s intcMprrtcr dans co sens j ui n'a jamaii onteiKlii iliie, soit pnul.mt, 'oit apri^s la dite I'Jectioii, que lo dit Jaims Sluart cut jamais fait usage ilo tcUcs paiolo.s, ou do paroles au miinu' diet, jusqu.i ro qu'a <,a Kraiulc surpiisi- il cnteiidit M. Wolfrcd N'clsuii, dans son iiitcrrogitrjiru coiniuo lOmoiii dans le profos d Aiitoino Aussant, p.ur parjure a la diti" Kliction, ilam l.i (iour dii Uniic du Hoi ' Montreal, en Mars dernier, d clarcr (|ue K- dil .lames Stuart avail i'ait usage do telle* paroles. Qiicil posant no pensepas (pie des paiulcs aussi cxtraonliiiaires eussent pii (trcpronoiicics a la dite Kicctioii, sans ilevunii doisou par aprruin su'ot ile conversation, >W maniire are que la dioso parviut il ses orcilies. Q"" I*-' ^''' .'iimes Stuart s'adiessait piiiicipak iiK'Hl ati _ depn'-aiir, nenilaiit la ditc 'Election, pf)iir avoir des inlbini. lions au sujet. dc la qiialilicatioii ilcs voteurs et dans tons Ics cas, a la conuais-nncc dii dei)osant, i!ans Icsepids Ic I'lioit d'uiic peisonne qui disirait voter poin- lodit.laincs Stuart, (tail suppose douteuN, Icdit .lainca St lart s'ouqiiL'rait dis details de ;ia qualiticatiou, el si sou dniit so trou- vavt d f, ctui ux, on Ic lui disait, ct son vote ii rtait pas accept;', (^u'a la con- naissancc du iK'posaut, iliverscs personncs (pii avaicnt vol .'i des ( leetioiis pi ce- dentcs p ur le dit Bourp:. i-'t qui di siia out voter pour Ic dit James Stuart, liii a^'aiit expose, pen lant I'elcction et vers la fin d'icelle, les details de droit suppose, li les iulurma (pi'eiles n'avaicnt pas les qualifications niicessuires pour avoir ilrnit dc vo- ter, ctqu'aiiisi il relusait Icurs votes, qui en cons qucnce n'elaient pas (lunu^s. Quopanni les ])crsonncs dout les votes furciit ainsi rejetcs, il y avail uu M. .loliii Carter, doiniciti' dans le JJoiug, qui avail vole a des Elections pnci denies, et quii tail dis]»()se 'i jurcr do sa (jualificalion, ct un nnmnii: (iingias, et deux ou trois autros dont lo di'posant nc s-; rappclle pas niaintcnant les noms. qui etaieiit aussi disposes a jurcr de leur qiialilication : — Kt a la connai-sauce du de|)osniit, lu dit Giu'Tras, ct les di»s deux ou trois autres, au temps le jiliis critique dc I election, tt lorsqu il : J cole voix pouvait decider du resultat, furent au d' sir du dit .lames Stuart, cnvo\ cs a uue distance du Hourg, a ses propres frais, dc peur que Ics par- tisans Jii Candidal oppose dont qiicl(|ucs-uns n'elaient pas scrupuhux sur co point,) n. les iiuluisait a jurcr ct a voter |ioiir iui. (^ue les frais d'cnvoycr ccs pcrsonnesau loin, niontaiita buit piastres, Turcnt payee's parle dcpo-^aiit, el Iui out ttv remboursi's ])ar le d!t James Stuart, apre-; I'Elcction. ()uc Ic deitosant ctant present lorsqe.c plusieiirs des votcurs, qui out etc depuis poiirsuivis pour parjure. jurerent de Iciir (pialification, el entcndit Wolfred Nelson les cneouragcr de la manitrclaplus picssauto, a preter lcs;jinieiit, Iciirassurantqu'il ne leur en arrive- rait aucun mal, et qu il se mellrait entrc ciix et lo mal qu'on voudrait leur lliirc. Kt ic deposant dit en outre, qu'il est a sa connaissancc, qu'eii objcctant a la qualifica- tion des voteurs, aussi bien que dans ses tei uvcs de leur faire connaitre Ics conse- quence de la prestation d'lin faux serment, le dit .lames Stuart c|)rouva la plus "■rande difficulte a se faire entendre, a cause des clamours bruyantcs el des inter- ruptions qui provcnaient du Cantlidat oppose et de ses partisans,! t de reiicourai^e- mc t qu'on donnait aux voteurs dc [iretcr leserment, .i tons hazard. Et Ic dit ile- po .ml nc dil riende plus. rSigne.) JOHN K. WELLS. Assermentfi en la Cit6 de Quebec, . Ce i21e jour de Mai, 1830, devant moi, nt. ■"il (Sign^,) EDWD. BOWEN, J. B. R. Vraie copie, J. STLAKT. G 50 f ? i Affidavit qf Robert Jones, Esquire, referred to in the foregoing Letter. District of MoNTltEAL. ROBERT JONES, of the Borough of William Henry, in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel in the Militia of the said Province, and also one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, for the said District, raaketh oath, That he has resided for upwards of fifty years in the said Borougl^., and was particularly acquainted with the proceed- ings which took place at the Election of a Representative for the said Borough, helil there in July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. -That he, the Deponent, attended the Hustings daily,during the continuance of the saidElection, and was seldom absent therefrom. — That he the Deponent was present when An- toine Aussant, l''ran9ois Vandal, Nicholas Buckner, Joseph Claprood, & others, who presented themselves as Voters at the said Election, were objected to by James .Stu- art, Escpiire, one of the Candidates, and were required to take the oath of qualifica- tion, to entitle them to vote. -That the said James Stuart, when tiie said oath was about to be administered to the said persons, used every exertion in his ]iower to make them acquainted with the nature of the said oath, and the penal- ties they would incur if they swore falsely, but experienced great difficulty in lioing so, in consequence of clamorous interruptions proceeding from the adverse Candidate, Mr. Nelson, and several of his partisans, who loudly and vehemently urged the said persons to take the oath, the said Mr. Nelson assuring , them in the most earnest manner, thai no harm could or should happen to them irom doing so, and that he, the said Mr. Nelson, would stand between them and harm : and the Deponent recollects that it was stated by the said James Stuart, with reference to the impropriety of these assurances, that the Pillory was one of tile punishments innexed to the ofience of Perjury, and that Mr. Nelson could not, and would not, supply their places there. — That the said James Stuart repeatedly rjpresented to the returning officer, Mr. Crebassa, the necessity there was, that he should explain to these individuals, they being illiterate and extremely ignorant, the nature of the oath to be taken, that they might not unguardedly become lia- hie to the penalties of Perjury, but the said Returning Officer refused to do so, saying it was his duty to administer the oath and nothing more, without any ex- planations on his part, and he did accordingly administer the path to them, amidst the clamorous outcries of Mr. Nelson, and several of his partisans, urging t'^om to take the oath, and the assurances of indemnity on the part of Mr. Nel- son, as aforesaid. — That the shid James Stuart did tell the said persons by whom tiic oath of qualification was taken as aforesaid, that if they swore falsely, they would be prosecuted for perjury, and this was said by him, as it would have ;)een said by any other Candidate under like circumstances ; — but the said James Stuart did not say, that, he, as Attorney General, would prosecute them for perjury, or that he, as Attorney General, had alone the right of prosecuting for perjury, or that those who voted for him had nothing to fear, while those who voted against him would be prosecuted for perjury, nor did the said James Stuart, on the occasion of administering the oath to the said persons, use any words of such import, or that could bear such an interpretation, nor did tlie Deponent ever hear, either during or subsequently to the said Election, that any iuch language had ever been used by the said James Stuart, until, to his greac s.uprise, being present in Court, he heard the said Mr. Nelson, on his examina- - liou as a witness, on the trial of the said Antoine Aussant, for perjury, in March last, declare that such language had been used by the said James Stuart. — That Deponent having been long resident at the Borough of William Henry, and hav- ing 51 i£f Lelter. e District of t Colonel in itices of the upwards of the proceecl- lid Borough, That he, the laid Election, It when An- : others, who y James vStii- jof qiialifica- the said oath ;rtion in iiis d the pi'nnl- : difficulty in !g from the » loudly and Iscn assuring , pen fo them en them and imes Stuart, ry was one of on could not, rt repeatedly was, that he sly ignorant, .' become lia- sed to do so, bout any ex- ith to them, sans, urging of Mr. Ncl. ins by whom falsely, ,they " would have e said James te them for isecuting for e those who said James )ns, use any nor did tlie on, that any to his great is examina- - y, in March uart.— That rv, and hav- ing Affidavit de Rodert Jones, ecuyer, mentionne dans la lettre prkidente. District de> Montreal. ) ^ ROBERT JONES, du Bourg de William Henry, dans Ic District ile ^fontn^-al, dans la Province du Bas-Cauada, Ecuyer, Lieutenant-Colonel do Miiice danis la dite Province, et un Jes Juges de Paix de Sa Majeste pour le dit District, jure qu'il a reside plus de cinquante ans dans ledit Bour^, et qii'il a eii tine connaissance particuli^re des precedes qui ont eu lieu a I'L-lection dun Rc- pr;sentant pour ledit Bourg, qui sefit dans le mois de Juillet mil huit cent vingt- se[)t. Que lui, le dit Deposant, assista tous les jours aux hustings pendant, la durcc de la dite election, et s'en absenta rarement. Que lui, le deposant, ttait piisent, lorsqiie Antoine Au!« ;ant, Fran9ois Vandal, Nicolas Buckner, Joseph Claprood, et autres, qui se presciitt;rent pour voter t\ la dite (Election, /^prouverent de I'ob- jection de la part de James Stuart, Ecuyer, un des Candidats, et quils fir.cnt requis de prendre le serment de qualification pour voter. Que le dit James Stuart au moment ou le serment allait 6tre administre ii ces gens, fit tout en son pouvoir pour leur faire connaitre la nature du dit serment, et les peines quMs ciicourraient s'ils se parjuraient, mais rencontra beaucoup de difficultc u le fuiro, .1 cause des interruptions bruyantes qui provenaient du Candidat oppose, M. Nelson, et de plusieurs de ses partisans, qui presserent hautemcnt et avec vehe- mence les dites personnes ;\ pr6ter serment, le dit M. Nelson leur assurant de lu nianiere la plus pressante, qu'il ne pouvait leur en arriver aucun mal, et qa'ii ue leur en airiverait rien, et que lui, M. Nelson se mettrait entre eu\ et le nuil qn on voudrait leur faire : et le deposant se rappelle que le dit James Stuart dit, a I occasion de I'inconvenance de ces assurances, quele Pilori ttait une des peines attachees a I'offense du paijure, et que M. Nelson ne pourrait, ni ne voudrait y prendre leur place. Que le dit James Stuart representa a plusieurs reprises a I'ufficier-rapporteur; M. Crebassa, la n^cessit6 quil y avail d'expliquer a ces gens, qui etaient illettres et tr^s-ignorans, la nature du serment qu ils allaient proter, afin qu'ils ne s'exposassent pas ihconsideremeat aux peines tlu parjurc, mais le dit Oilicierrapporteuf refusade le faire, disant que son devoir etait d'adini- nistrer le serment et rien de plus, sans aiicune explication de sa part, et il leur fit en consequence prf'ter serment, au milieu des clameurs de M. Nelson et tic pl:isieurs de ses partisans, qui les pressaientde prater serment, et des assurances <|e dedommagement de la part de M. Nelson comme susdit. Que le dit James Stuart dit aux dites personnes qui avaientpret^ le serment de qualification commc susclit, que si elles avaicnt jure faux, elles seraient poursuivies pour parjure, et cecifutdit par lui, comme il I'aurait 6t6 par tout autre candidal dans de pureilles oil Constances ; maisle drt James Stuart ne dit pas, que lui comme Procurcur- GiiK^'ral, les poursuivrait pour parjure, ou que lui, comme Procureur-Gi-neral, ayait seul le droit de poursuivre pour parjure, ou que ceux qui votaiont pour lui n avaient rien a craindre, tandis que ceux qui votaient contre lui seraient pour- suivies pour parjure : et le dit James Stuart lors de la prestation du serment par les dites personnes, ne fit pas non plus usage de paroles au raeme efltet, ou qui pussent ^tre interpr^tees de cette mani^re, et le dit deposant na entenJu dire pendant ni apr^s la dite election, que le dit James Stuart se fut servi de parulcs semblables, jusqu'i\ ce qu'a sa grande surprise, ^tant en cour, il entendit Ic dit M. Nelson, dans son interrogatoire comme temoin, dansle proems du dit Antoine Aussant pour parjure, en mars dernier, declarer que le dit James Stuart sctait servi d'un pareil langage. Que le deposant residant dcpuis longtcmps dans le uonrg de William Henry, et ayant lui-meme repr^sente le dit Bourg pendant plusieurs parlements, fui fr^quemment consulte par le dit James Stuart, pour renseignemens tl 52 iiig himself represented the said Borough in several Parliaments, was frequently rcforred to by the said James Stuart, for information respecting the qualification of persons about to vote, or who it was expected would vote at the said election ; and in every instance, within t^e knowledge of the Deponent, in which the right of a person desirous of voting for the said .lames Stuart was deemed ques- tionable, the particulars of his supposed qualificalion were enquired into by the said James Stuart, and if his right to vote was found defective, he was told it was so, and his vote was not accepted. That the J3eponent is well acquainted with one Fran5ois St. Germain, who voted for the said James Stuart at the said lilection. — That the said St. Germain told the Deponent, the day before he voted, tiiat he intended to vote for the said James Stuart, and grounded his right to vote on a reservation, which he said he had made in a Deed of Gift to his son, of a house in the Borough, by which he had reserved to himself the usufruct for his life of two apartments in the house, over and above a life rent ; and the Deponent also knows that the said St. Germain, before he gave his vote, went to the lodg- ings of the said James Stuart, to consult him as to his right to vote, under the reservation which he stated he had made in the Deed of Gift to his son as afore- said. — That the conduct of the said James Stuart, throughout the said Election, in every instance, in which it came within the knowledge of the Deponent, was marked by fairness, and a strict regard to propriety. — That to the Deponent's knowledge, persons who had voted at former Elections, and were desirous of voting for the said James Stuart, were interrogated as to the nature of their supposed qualification, and he being of opinion that they had no .right to vote, declined their votes, which were not given. — That the Deponent has also a know- ledge that several persons who were desirous of voting for the said James Stuart, and were willing to take the oath of qualification, towards the close of the Elec- tion, were sent out of the way to a distance from the Borough, by the desire, and at the expense of the said James Stuart, after he had enquired into their sup- posed qualification, and had ascertained that they had no legal right to vote : — and the reason then assigned by the said James Stuart for this step was, that the partisans of the adverse Candidate, not being scrupulous as to means, might, if these persons were not sent out of the way, induce them to vote for him.-^ And further this Deponent saith not. Sworn at William Henry this 9th day of June, 1830, before me. (Signed,) R. JONES. (Signed,) ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, J. P. True Copy, J. STUART. ■1 ' i Jffidavit o/' Anthony Von Iffland, Esquire, referred to in the foregoing Letter. District of Montreal :.} ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, of the Borough of William Henry, in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, Esquire, Doctor of, Phy- sic, and one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said District of Mon- treal, maketh oatb, that he has a particular knowledge of the circumstances which occurred 53 s frequently qualification id election ; which the eemed ques- into by the '. was told it acquainted at the said )re he voted, his right to o his son, of fruct for his le Deponent o the lodg- e, under the son as afore- lid Election, ponent, was Deponent's desirous of tnre of their ight to vote, also a know- ames Stuart, of the Elec- e desire, and to their sup* It to vote : — tep was, that neslns, might, te for hiin.^— retisei'Tnemens touchant la qualification des person nes qui allaient voter, ou qui devaient voter k la dite election ; ct dans tous ics cas, a Ja connaissancc :i ^■;?i St. Germain, qui vota pour le dit James Stuart, ;\ la dite (Election. Que le dit St. Geiniain dit au dtposant, la veille qu'il vota, quil avait intention de voter pv^ur le dit James Stuart, et fondait son droit de voter sur une rdservc, qu'il dit avoir faite dans une donation h son ills dune maison dans le bourg, par laquelle il s'etait reserve I'usufruit sa vie durante de deux appartemens dans la maison, hors et en sus dune rente viagere ; et le deposant sait de plus que le dit St. Germain, avant de donner son vote, se rendit au logis du dit James Stuart pour Ic consultcr sur son droit de voter, sur la reserve qu'il dit avoir faite dans I'acte de donation a son fils comme susdit. La conduite du dit James Stuart, pendant toute cette election, dans les cas qui sont venus a la connais,saPce du deposant, fut marqu6e au coin de la franchise et d'une stricte convenarce. Qu'i\ la connaissancc du deijosant des per.sonncs qui avaicnt vot(5 a des Elections pr^c^dentes, et qui dtsi- rajent voter pour le dit James Stuart, furent par lui questionnces sur la nature de leur qualification suppos^e, et lorsqu'il etait d'avis qu'elles n'avaient pas droit de voter, il refusait leurs votes, qui n'etaient pas donnas. Qu'il est aussi a la con- naissancc du deposant, que plusieurs personnes qui desiraient voter pour le dit James Stuart, et qui etaient dispos^es <\ preter le serment de qualification, vers la fin de I'election, furent envoy^es hors du bourg, au dcsir et aux frais du dit James Stuart, apr^s qu'il se fut enquis de leur qualification sjppos^e, et aprts qu'il se fut assure qu'elles n'avaient pas K'galement le droit de voter ; et la raison que donna alors le dit James Stuart, de cette demarche fut, que les partisans du candidat oppos6, n'<;tant pas scrupuleux sur les moyens, pourraient, si ces gens n'etaient pas eloignes, les induire a voter pour lui. Et le deposant ne dit rien de plus. JONES. Asserment^ a William Henry, le 9 juin 1830, devant moi, (Signl,) R. JONES. (Sign^,) "Vraie Copie, J. STUART. ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, J. P. m •egoing Letter. lenry, in the 'octor of Pliy- itrict of Mon- istances which occurred Affidavit (f Anthony Von Iffland, ^cuyei-, mentionnSe dans la lettre precedenie. District de Montreal. )E> ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, du bourg de "William Henry, dans le district de Montreal, dans la Province du Bas-Canda, ^cuyer, docteur en m^decine, et un des jugesdepaix de Sa Majesty pour le dit district de Montreal, jurQ, qu'il a une connaissancc particuli^re des circonstances qui soat arrives h I'election d'un repr^sentant d -■■^ ! ■! tr 54. occurred at ^he Election of a Representative for the said Borough, held there in July, one thousa.-'d eight hundred and twenty seven, — he the Deponent having been present daily i. the Hustings, and having only occasionally ubsented himself from them. That the Deponent was present when Antoine Aussant, Antoine Hus alias Cournoycr, Nicholas Buckner, Francois Vandal, and others who pre- sented themselves as voters at the said Election, were objected to by James Stuart, Esquire, one of the Candidates, and were required to take the oath of r;'jalification to entitle them to vote ; — That the said James Stuart, previous to Jie administering of the oath to the said persons last named, endeavoured to make tiiem acquainted with the nature of the oath, they yrere about to take, and the penal consequences they would incur, by swearing falsely, but found great ditiicui- ty in doing so, by reason of the interruptions he experieii'cd from the adverse Candidate, Mr. Nelson, and several of his partisans, who with vehemence and loud clamour urged the said per'sons, and particularly the said Aussant. Hus alias Cour- noyer, Buckner, and Vandal, to take the oath ; the said Mr. Nelson assuring thtm, in the most positive terms, that no harm should, or could, happen to them fn.m doing so, and that he the said Mr. Nelson would stand between them and harm ; in reference to which assurances, and by way of putting the said persons on their guard, it was stated by the said James Stuart, that the pillory was one of the pu- nishments annexed to the oflbnce of Perjury, and that Mr. Nelson could not, and would not, supply their places there. That the said James Stuait, to prevent the effect of the assurances and solicitations nroceeding from the adverse Candidate, repeatedly represented to the Returning Officer, Mr. Crehassa, the necessity there was that he should explain to these individuals, they being extremely ignorant, the nature of the oath to be taken, that tht^ might not be unguardedly involved in the penalties of Perjury j but the said Returning Officer refused to do so, saying it was his duty to administer the oath, and nothing more, without any explanation on his part, and he did accordingly administer the oath to them, amidst the loud and importunate requests of the said Mr. Nelson frequently repeated, that they would take the oath, and his assurances of indemnity as aforesaid. That the said .Tames Stuart did tell the said persons, by whom the oath of qualification was taken as aforesaid, that if they swore falsely, they would be prosecuted for Perjury, and this was said by him, in such terms as would have bet.i used by anv other Candidate, under like circumstances ; bat the said James Stuart did not say, that ho, as Attorney General, would prosecute them for Perjury, — or that he, as At- torney General, ind alone the right to prosecute for Peijury, — or that those who voted for him had nothing to fear, while those who voted against him would be prosecuted for Perjury ; nor did the said James Stuart, on the occasion of ad- ministering the oath to the said persons, use any words of such import, or that could bear such an interpretation ; nor did the Deponent ever hear, either dur- ing or subsequently to the said Election, that any such language had ever been used by the said James Stuart; until, to his great surprise, he learnt that the said ]Mr, Nelson, on his examination as a witness on tlie trial of the said Antoine Aus- sant, for Perjury, in March last, had declared, that such language had been used by the said James Stuart, when the said Antoina Aussant took the oatn of qualifi- cation as aforesaid. That the Deponent, having been long resident at the Boronyh of William Henry, was frequently referred to by the said James Stuart, for in- formation respecting the qualification of persons about to vote, or who it was ex- fiected would vote at the said Election, and in every instance, within the know- edge of the Deponent, in which the right of a person desirous of voting for the saiil Jameii Stuart was deemed questiohable, the particulars of his supposed quali- fication were enquired into by the said James Stuart, and if his right to vote was found defective, he was told it was so, and his vote was not accepted. That the Deponent is well acquainted with one Fran9ois St. Germain, who voted for the said James Stuart, at the said Election. That, on the first day of th^ Election, being 55 reprC'sentant pourleditbourg tenue en Juillet, mil-huit-ccnt-vingt-sept, lui, Ic dit deposant, ayant etc present chaque jour aux liu8tin|^!), et ne sen ctant absent^; qu'occasionnclleinent. Que le dt-posant 6tait present lorque Antoine Aussant, .Antoine Hus autrement dit Coumoyer, Nicholas Bnciviici', Fran9ois Vandal ct autrcs, qui sc prC-scntcrent pour voter k la dite tieclion, (' prouvisrent de I'objcction de la part de James Stuar^ vcuyer, un des candidats, et furent requis de preter Icserment de qualification pour voter. Que le dit James Stuart, avant que Ic sermcnt fut administr6 aux dites personiics nummeea en dernier lieu, s'efTorca de leur faire connaitre la nature du serment, qu'elles allaient prendre, et les consequences pinales auxquelles die s'exposeiaient, en jurant faussement, mais il eprouva beaucoup dedifliculte a le faire, ;\ cause des interruptions du candidat oppos6, M. Nelson, et de plusieurs de ses partisans, qui j)res8aient les dites pcrsonnes avec vehemence et clameur, et surtout le dit Aussant, Hus autrement dit Cour- noyer, Buckneret A^mdal.de preter le serment ; le dit M. Nelson leur assuranit, de la mani^re la plus pobitive, quil ne leur en arriverait r.i ne pouvait leur en arriver aucun mal, et que Ini, le dit M. Nelson, se mettrait entre eux et ie mal qu'on voudrait leur faire ; a i'occasion dcsquelles assurances, et pour mettre ces gens sur leur garde, le dit James Stuart dit que le pilori etait une des punitions attachees a I'ofFense du paijure, et que M. Nelson ne pourrait, ni ne voudrait y aller prendre Icurs places. Que le dit James Stuart, pour prevenii- Teftet des assurances etsollicitations provenant d.- oandidat oppose, representa a plusieurs reprises a M. Crebassa, officier rapporteur, la necessite qu'il y avait d'expliquer k ces gens, qui etaient extr(}mement ignorans, la nature du sarment qu'ils allaient prendre, aiin qu'ils ne s'exposassent pas inconsidtrement aux peines du parjure, mais le dit otiicier rapporteur rcf'usa de le faire, disant que son devoir etait d'administrer le serment et rien de plus, sans aucune explication de sa part, et il leur fit en consequence preter le serment au milieu des demandes bruyantes et importunes etsouventrepetees du dit M. Nelson, de preter lethe sai(' .James Stuart !iad told him, that under the reservation he had made he conk! vote. 'I'hat the Deponent felt anxi- ous to ascertain the precise terms of the reservation which the said Fran9ois St. Germain alleged he had made, and went to the olHce of Mr. Crebassa, I'ub!'. Kotary, by whom it was understood that the Deed of Gift from the said St. Ger- main to his son had been passed, for the purpose of se.ing the said Deed, but he could not obtain access to it. That the coiuUict of the said James Stuart, through- out the said Election, in every instance in which it came within the knowledge of the Depone\it, w is marked by fairness, and a strict regard to propriety ; and the Deponent has a personal knowledge, tiiat several persons desirous of ,oting for the su 1 James Stuart, and willing to take the oath of qualification, among whom were one Gingras and one Bellan, — at the most critical period of the flection, and wlien a single vote might determine the result of it, were sent to a distance from the Borough, by the desire, and at tlic expense of the said James Stuart, lest the partisans of the adverse Candidate might induce them to vote for him; it being well known, that some of them were not scrupulous as to the legal suffi- ciency »f votes, or the means of obtaining them. And further the Deponent saitli no't, (Signed,) AiNTIIONY VON IFFLAND, M.'d. ' Sxcorn at JViU'mm Henry, this lOth day of JittielS'M, bejore me , (Signed,) R. JONES, J. P. True copy, J. STUART. I i f ,t < Tlrat further, the above said Deponent maketh oath, that at the Election of a Representative for the said Borough of 'William Henry, held in the month of August, in the year one thousand eight hundred nnd twenty four, one Catherine Lamere took the oath of qualification to entitle Ikt to vote at the said Election, imdcr an honest belief on her part, that she had the requisite legal estate, during the temporary absence of her husband, Paul LcvalK', to qualify her as a voter, and sire did after taking the said oath, vote for Norman Fitzgerald Uniackc, Esquire, then His Majesty's Attorney General for the Province of Lower Canada, and one of the Candidates at the said Election. That at the Election of a Representative for the said Borough, held there in July one thousand eight hundred and twenty se- ven, she the said Catherine Lamere signified to the said Deponent her desire of voting, for the said James Stuart, Esquire, then one of the Candidates, but, on explaining to the said James Stuart the particulars of her supposed qualification, her 1- i! 57 que dans la donation qu'il avait faitc a son His, de sa maison, dans \c bouip, it s'ctAit ri^servL'sa vie durante I'usufruit de deux appartcmens clans la dite maison, iiors ct en sus d'unc rente viagi're, et il envoya Ic cK-posant au Colonel Jones ponr la verite de ce fait. Que le deposant li-dessus conscilla a J dit l'Van9ois St. Germain de consniter le dit James Stuart, sur la suffisance de sa qualification, h liii donner le droit de voter ; et lui Icndemain matin, ayaiit rencontre le dit Francois St. (Jermain, celuici ditau dtposant, qu'il avait vu Ic dit James Stuart, a son serve e la tude de logis, ct que le dit James Stuart lui avait dit qu'il pouvait voter sur la vcs qu'il avait faiie. Que ie deposant desirant constater les tcrmes pn'cis d iLserve que le dit Francois St. Germain disait avoir faite, il sc rendit a I I'tud JM.Crebassa, notaire public, par quiii apprit qu'avait 6tc passe I'acte de donation du dit St Germain a son fils, pour voir le dit acte, raais il n'y put avoir a( cts. Que la conduite du dit James Stuart, pendant toute cette election, dans tousles cas qui vinrent a la connaissance du deposant, fut marquise au coin de la franchise et de la plus stride convenan?e; et le deposant a su k sa conwaissance per- sonnelle, que diverses personnes qui dtsiraicnt voter ])Our le dit James Stuart, et quittaient disposces a preter le serment de qualification, cntre lesquclles se trouvaient un nomm6 Gingras et un nomme Bellan, au temps k plus critique de I'c'lection, ct auquel une seule voix pouvait dticider du sort de {"election, furent envoyees k une distance du bourg, au d6sir et aux frais d dit James Stuart, de crainte que les partisans du candidal oppos6 ne les induisissent k voter pour lui, dtantbien connu que quelques-uns d'entre eux n'etaient pas scrupuleux quant a la sufHsance legale des votes, ou aux raojens de les obtenir. Et le deposant ne dit rien de plus. (Sign^,; ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, M. D. Assermenle a IVilliim Henry, le \0e. jour de Juin 1830, devant mot. (Sign6) R. JONES, J. P. Vraie copic, J. STUART. Qu'en outre, le susdit deposant, jure; qu'a T^lection d'un rcpresentant pour le dit bourg de William Henry, tenue dansle mois d'AoiU, dans I'annde mil-huit- cent-vingt-quatre, une nomm^e Catherine Lam^re pr^ta le serment de qualifica- tion ^our avoir le droit de voter a la dite Section, sous I'honnete ignorance de sa part, qu'elle avait la qualification fonci^re requise par la loi, pendant I'absence temporaire de sou mari, Paul Levall6, pour lui donner ie droit de voter, et apr^s avoir pr£t61edit sermen telle vota pour Norman Fitzgerald Uniacke, 6cuyer, alors procureur-g^n^ral de Sa Majesty pour la Province du Bas-Canada, et un des candidats a la dite Election. Qu'^ I'^lection d'un r^r^sentant pour Ie dit bourg, tenue en Juillet mil-huit-cent-vingt-sept, la m£me Catherine Lamere signifia an dit deposant le d^sir qu'elle avait de voter pour le dit James Stuart, ecuyer, Jors un des candidats \ mais en expliquant au James Stuart les particularit^s de sa _ H -, , . ' . qualifi- ': 'I' I >^ t i, i ^^ I i t ' , ' 1 58 lier vote was declined as contrary to Law, and therefore not given at the said KIcctioD. . • (Signed,) ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, M. D. SKorn at ffilliam Henry, this lOlh day June, 1830, bqfore me, • " (Signed,) R. JONES, J. P. True Copy, J. STUART. Affidavit qf Mr. Richard Buuke, referred to in the foregoing Letter. :} District of Montreal RICHA^T) BURKE, of the Borough of William Henry, in the District of Montreal, Gentleman, maketh oath, that he was particularly acquainted with the proceedings which took place at the Election for the said Borough, in the month of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, having attended the Poll daily, during the continuance of the said Election. That he knows Fran9ois St. Germain, who at that time resided in the said Borough. That pre- vious to the said Fran9ois St. Germain having voted at the said Election, he told the Deponent that he would explain the nature of his qualification to James Stuart, Esquire, one of the Candidates at the said Election, which qualification, he then also told the Deponent, consisted in a life estate in two apartments, making part of a dwelling-house which he had given to his son, which said two apartments he had reserved to himself for his life, by the deed of gift which he had executed to his said son. That, to the Deponent's knowledge, the said James Stuart was scrupulous in the examination of the qualification of persons desirous of voting for him, whose right to do so was thought in any way doubtful, and the Deponent has a personal knowledge that several persons desirous of voting for the said James Stuart, and willing to take the oath, were prevented by him from doing so, after he had examined their papers, and had ascertained from them that they had not a legal right to vote. That the Deponent has a perfect knowledge, that one Fran- 9ois Thibault, who appeared willing to take the oath, and vote for the said James Stuart, having submitted the papers establishing his supposed qualification to the said James Stuart, on the day the Election ended, and a short time before the closing of the Poll, was told by the said James Stuart, that he bad no right to vote, and his vote was declined. That one Joseph Claprood, who voted at the said Election for Mr. Nelson, and who has since been convicted of Perjury, for having then falsely sworn to a qualification to enable him to vote, came to the De- ponent's house, during the Election, and before he voted as aforesaid, and offered to the Deponent to vote for the said James Stuart; but the Deponent, knowing that he had no right to vote, and that he the said James Stuart constantly declined illegal votes, rejected his ofier,and the said Claprood then went away, and was afterwards in- duced to vote for the said Mr. Nelson. That the Deponent was present, when diffe- rent individuals, offering their votes at the Poll, were objected toby the said James Stuart, and also when some of the persons who have since been prosecuted for Perjury at the said Election, took the oath of qualification, and voted for the said Mr. Nelson. That, neither on those occasions, nor at any time during the said Election, t'! '■{ 59 I qualification siippos(!-e, son vote Ait refusd comme ctant contrairc h h \o\, cl en cons(;quence il ne fut pas donnc A la dite <;lectioii. (SignO ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, M. D. Assennente i William Henry, le 10c. jour deJuin, 1830, devantmoi. CSign6,) R. JONES, J. P. ,ti; Vraie copie, J. STUART. Letter. Affidavit de M. Richard Buiike, mentionnf duns la lettre prkidcnte. the District uainted with mgh, in the ing attended at he knows . That pre- tion, he told fames Stuart, ion, he then making part partments he executed to s scrupulous ng for him, )onent has a said James ing so, after :hey had not lat one Fran- e said James lation to the J before the no right to voted at the Perjury, for le to the De- nd offered to wing that he :lined illegal flerwards in- , when diffe- e said James osecuted for for the said mg the said Election, Dtstricj de Montreal :} do us RICHARD BURKE du Bourg de William Henry, dans le District ( Montreal, Gentleman, jure, qu'il a eu une connaissance particiiliere des procedi qui ont eu lieu ;\ lY-lection du dit Bourg, dans le mois de Juillet, mil-huit-cent. vingt-sept, ayant assists au poll tous les jours, pendant toute la duree de la dite Election. Qu'il connait Francois St. Germain, qui ^ ce temps residait dans le dit Bourg. Qu'avant que le dit Fran9ois St. Germain eut vote a la dite <:lection, il dit au d(!'posant qu'il expliquerait la nature de sa qualification h James Stuart, Ecuyer, un des Candidats ^ la dite Election, laquelle dite qualification il dit au dc- posant consister dans I'usufruit de deux appartemens, faisant jjartie il'une maison qu'il avait donnee k son fils, lesjjueli dit^ deux appartemens il s'ctait reserve sa vie durante, par une Acta de donation qu'il avait passe en faveur de son fils. Qu'a la connaissance du deposant le dit James Stuart examinait avec scrupulc la qualification des personnes qui dtsiraient voter pour lui, ct dont le droit parais- sait t'tre en aucune maniere douteux, et il est :\ la connaissance personnclle du de> posant, que plusieurs personnes qui dtsiraient voter pour le dit James Stuart, et qui etaient disposees a pr(iter le serment, en otit ^te emp^chees par lui, apres qu'il eiit examine leurs papiers, et qu'il sefiU assur^ d'apr^s Ics informations qu'il tirait de ces gens, qu'ils n'avaient pas l^^galement le droit de voter. Qu'il est h. la con- naissance parfaite du deposant, qu'un nomme Fran9ois Thibault, qui paraissait dis- pose a preter le serment, et a voter pour le dit James Stuart, ayant soumis au dit James Stuart les papiers qui etablissaient sa qualification supposee, le jour que finit i'election, et peu de tenips avant la cl6ture du poll, fut inform^ par le dit James Stuart, qu'il n'avait pas le droit de voter, et son vote fut refus6. Qu'un no;nme Claprood, qui vota a la derni^re Election pour M. Nelson, et qui depuis a 6t6 convaincu de parjure, pour avoir alors fa. cement jure qu'il (;tait qualifie a vo- ter, vint hi la maison du deposant, pendant I'election, et avant de voter comme sus- dit, et offritau deposant de voter pour le dit James Stuart ; mais le deposant con- naissant qu'il n'avait pas le droit de voter, et que le dit James refusait r^guli^re- ment les votes ilUgaux, rejeta son oftre, et il fut ensuite induit k voter pour le dit M. Nelson. Que le deposant fut present, lorsque difl'^renS individus, r^rant leurs votes au poll, ^prouvferent de I'objection de la part du dit James Stuart, et aussi lorsque i' 9 ;:l 1 I CO Klcclion, (lid this Deponent hear the said James Stuart say, or in any manner intimate, that he, as Attorney General, iiad alone the power of prosecuting fur Perjury, and that lie would prosecute those who voted ap^ainst hun for that of- fence, wiiile those who voted for him had nothing to fear ; nor did he ever hear the said James 8tu irt utter any words of such import, or that could bear such an interpretation ■ nor. did he ever hear, to his knowledge, either during or subse- quently to the said Election, that such words, or words of similar import, had ever been used by the said James Stuurt, until, to his surprize, he learnt that Mr. M'olfrcd Nelson, the Candidate above mentioned had, on his examination as a witness on the trial of Antoine Aussant, for Perjury, at the said Election, declared that such words had been used by the said James Stuart. That the Deponent thinks that if such extraordinary language had been used by the said James Stuart, it would have been made the subject of conversation, and must have nuched his cars. Tli:it the conduct of the said James Stuart, throughout the said Election, was marked by the greatest fairness ; and although intimately ac- cjuamtcd with the proceedings of the said Election, from the first to last, the De- j)oncnt never observed tho slightest deviation, on the part of the said James Stuart, ^ from such fairness of conduct. That the said James Stuart, in his attempts to put voters on their guard against tnking the oath, without a legal qualification, was on several occasions, to the knowledge of the Deponent, interrupted by the said Mr. Nelson, the adverse Candidate and his partisans, who urged such voters to take the oath, the said Mr. Nelson at the same time assuring them that he would stand between them and harm. And further the Deponent saith not. (Signed,) RICH. BURKE. Sworn at William Henry, this 8th day of June, 1830, before me. (Signed,) ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, J. P. True Copy, J. STUART. Affidavit of John Cartek, referred to in the foregoing Letter District of) Montreal. ) JOHN CARTER, of the Borough of William Henry, in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, Gentleman, maketh oath, that at the Election of a Representative for the said Borough, held in the month of Au- gust, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty four, he the Deponent took the oath of qualification, to entitle him to vote at the said Election, under an honest belief on his part, that he had the requisite legal estate to qualify him as a voter, and he did, after taking the said oath, vote for Norman F. Uniacke, Es- quire, one of the Candidates at the said Election. That, at the Election of a Re- presentative 01 ly manner cuting for r that of- evcr licar ;ar such an g or subse- t, had ever that Mr. lation as a n, declared Deponent said James must have Lighoiit the iiiiatcly ac- »st, the Do- mes Stuart, ittempts to iialiHcation, )ted by the such voters )em that he th not. JRKE. er ! District of ath, that at onth of Au- e Deponent n, under an ify him as a niacke, Es- ion of a Re- presentative lorMUcqucIqucsuncsdcspcrsonncsqiiiont dcpuis^-ti' poursuivics pours'iMre |>ar- \\ixici a la ditc (lection, prftircnt Ic scrmcnt de qualification, ci vot« rent pour Ic dit M. Nelson. Que ni d'lns ces occasions, ni rn Jiictin temps pendant In dite <;leclion, Ic dt'posant n'aentcndii le dit James Stuart dire, nidonner;') entendre en aucunc maniirc, que lui, commo Procurcur-CieniTal, avait sciil lo pouvoir de poursuivro pour parjure, el qu'il poursiiivrait pour ccttc otlbnsc ceux qui votcraientcontre lui, tandis que ceux qui votaient pour lui n'a|aiciit rien I'l crain- drc; ni n'ajamais entendu le dit James Stuart pronoiicer nucunu parole dans ce sens, oil qui pusscnt pn ter a telle interpretation ; ni n'n jamais entendu dire, A sa connaissance, soit pendant soit aprcs la dite election, que Ic dit James Stuart se fi'it jamais servi de telles paroles, ou paroles diuis le m6me sens jusqu'i\ cc que, a sa •rrande surprise, il appritque M. WoUied Nelson, Ic Candidat ci-dessus mcnlion- iic, avait, dans son interrogatoire commctemoin dans le proces d'Antoine Aussaiit, jiour parjure, i\ la dite election, declarcf;, que lo dit James Stuart avait fait usage de telles paroles. Que le deposant pcnsc que si le dit James Stuart cut fait usage d'un langage aussi extraordinaire, cc scrait dcvenu un sujet de conversation, ct qu'd en aiirait entendu parlcr. Que la conduite du dit Jamus Stuart, pendant la dite Election, a6tc marquee an coin de la plus parfaite franchise ; ct quoiqu'il ait eu une connaissance tri's-particulicre de? proc(!d^s de la ditc election, depuis le commencement jusqu'i\ la fin, le deposant n'a pus remarqn6 un soul instant ou le dit James Stuart, ail ilevie de cette marche franchc. Que le dit James Stuart, dans les efforts qu'il fit pour mettre les voteurs en garde contreles prestation duscr- ment, sans avoir une qualificntiun legale, fut en diverses occasions, a lu connais- sance du deposant, interrompu par le dit M. Nelson, le Candidat oppose*-, et par ses partisans, qui pressaient de tels voteurs ;\ premier le serment, le dit M. Nelson les assurant en ro£me temps qu'il se mettraitentre eux et le mal. Et le deposant ne dit rien de plus. Assorment^ a William Henry, ce 8e jour de Juin, devant moi, (Signe,) Vraie copie. J. STUART. (Sign6,) RICHARD BURKE. ANTHONY VON IFFLAND, J. P. .1! Affidavit de John Carter, mentiome dans la letlre precedenle. District de ) ' Montreal./ » ^,l''?"^i CARTER duBourgde William Henry, dans le District de Mon- treal, dans la Province duBas-Canada. Getitlema,,, jure, qu'a I'^lection d'un re pr^sentant pour le dit Bourg. tenue dans le mois d' Aofit, dans I'anirSuit^cent yingt-quatre, lu.. le deposant, preta le serment de qualification, pour pouvo r voter a la dite Election, sous la sincere croyance oii il ^tait qu'il ava t une proDri Jd 1? galement suffisante pour le quaUfier /voter, et apres avoir mLTdKrmenil vota pour Norman F.Uniacke. Ecuyer, undes Candidatsi £ d te Vect oT 0^4 1 election d un representant pourle dit Bourg, qui y eut lieu en Juiliet m/l-huit- cent- m m fj2 prcscntativi; fortlic nniil Borough, held there in July one thouiand eight hundrcil and twenty Devon, he tlio Deponent wao desirous of voting for James Stuurt, Es(|uiru, one of the Candidates at the said Klectioii, and signincd to the said Jumos Stuart such his dcHirc, nl the same time explaining to tlio said James 8tuvin|;t-iept. lui, le dt-posant di'sirait voter pour James Stuart, Kcuycr, iiii dcs ( andidata a 111 (lito Election, et signilia hoii dttir an ilit iuincs Stuart, cii cxpli- quant cp nicmc tempt nu dit James Stuart, Ivs pnrticului itr« dc la miatiHcatioii su;i< posio. Que li< dit Jumcs Stuart, apri's CCS particularitus, dit au Jcpostant qu'il no pouvait, i\ raison d'icolleH, nclamur lo droit dc voter, ct ixt'iimi avcc politcssu lu pou vote du deposatit, lequvl par cons<:qucnt tic i'ut pus domu )e dcposant ne dit ricn dc plu». la ditc ^Icctiou. Kt Asscrmcnt^ dcvant moi, cc lUo jour dc Juin, 1830. (SignCO R- JONES, J. P. Vraie copic. J. STUART. (Siguc.) JOHN CARTER. Affidavit de Michael Glackemeyer, mentionnedumla le'-r)r>recedente. District de MONTUEA 1'} MICHAEL GLACKEMEYER, do Berthicr, dans le District de Montreal, Gentleman, jure, qu'il faisait les fonctions de Clerc du Poll a une Election teiiue au Bourg do William Henry, en Juillet mil-huit-cent-viiinft-sept, pour I'i'lectiou dun reprt^'sentant pour servir pour Ic dit Bourg duns Ic Pirlement Provincial. Qu'il 6tait present lorsqu'Antoine Aussant, Antoine Paul Hus dit Couriioyer, Nicholas Buckner, Francois Vandal et autres, prCt^rent le scrment rcquis par la loi quant k leur qualification ;\ voter. Que lorsquc les ditcs personncs mentionn^'cs en der- nier lieu se pr6sent^rent pour voter, James Stuart, un dcs Candidats i\ la ditc Election, Ecuyer, objecta il leur vote, ;\ raison de ce qu'ils i)'6taicnt pas qualifii's k voter. Que ledit James Stuart, autant que la chose fut en son pouvoir, expliqua ii ces gens qu'ils n'avaient pas droit de voter, et quelles peincs ils allaient encourir, s'ils juraient faussement ; mais le dit James Stuart ne declara ni ne dit, i\ la con- naissance du dc-posant, soit dans le temp: i- .. ces gens prcterent le scrment, soit lorsqu'ils donn^rent leurs votes, non pliic q. tin aucun autre temps, que comme Frocureur-Gen^ral, lui squl avait le droit de poursuivre les personnes coupables de parjurc, et que ceux qui votaient pour eux n'avaient rien ^ craindrc, tandis que ceux qui votaient contre lui seraient [•oursuiviS| ni n'a fait usage d'aucunes paroles dans ce sens ; que le dit James Stnart paraissait d^sireux de mettre les dites per- sonnes ci-dessus nomm^es sur Wars gardes, ctleur expliqua les consequences aux- quelleselles s'exposeraient en jurant faussement, ct rien de plus ; leur disant en meme temps, que si malgr^ cela, elles juraient faussement, dies seraient poursui- vies pour I'avoir fait. CSign^,) ML. GLACKEMEYER, Asserment^ devant moi, ce lie jour de Mars 1830. (Sign^,) Vraie copie. SAMUEL GALE, J. P. J. STUART. 64. Affidavit of Louis Paul, referred to in the foregoing Letter. DisTnici- OF > Montreal, y m LOUIS PAUL, an Inhabitant of the Parish of Sorel, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposeth and saith ; That he was present at tiie Election at the liorough of William Henry, in the month of July, 1827, ior the Election of a Representative for the said Borough in the Provincial Parliament. That Deponent was present when Antoinc Aussant and Antoine Hus dit Cournoyer, afterwards prosecuted for perjury at the said Election, came up for the purpose of giving their votes as voters at the said Election. — That Deponent heard James Stuirt, Esquire, one of the Candidates, warn the said Aussant and Cournoyer, that they had no right to vote at the said Election, and that if they did so, they^ would lay themselves open to an Indictment for perjury. — That the said James Stuart begged the Returning Officer to explain to the said persons that they were not entitled to vote, for the purpose of preventing them from exposing themselves to the evil consequences of perjury, but the Returning Officer replied, that his duty required only that he should make them take the oath, and he, in fact, administered to them the oath required in such cases. — That when the said James Stuart endeavored to make the said Aussant and Cournoyer under- stand that they had no right to vote at the said Election, the other Candidate, Mr. Nelson, assured them that they were entitled to vote, and that he would guarantee them against all the consequences that might follow ; and at the same time, the said Mr. Nelson and his partisans, then present, persuaded the said Aussant and Cournoyer to take the oath. — That Deponent was also present when Nicholas Buckuer, afterwards prosecuted for perjury, offered, for the first time, to vote at the said Election, and heard the arguments then used to the said Buckner, for the purpose of making him understand that he had no right to vote, and which seemed to convince the said Buckner that he could not vote, and that he withdrew without giving his vote. — That neither on the occasions above mentioned, nor at any other time, did he hear the said Jdines Stuart say that those who voted against him, without being entitled to vote, should be prosecuted for perjury, while those who voted for him would have nothing to fear ; nor did he ever hear the said James Stuart say, that being Attorney General, he had the power of doing this, — nor did he ever hear the said James Stuart say that his office of Attorney General gave him alone the right of bringing Indictments for Perjury, and that those who voted for him had i .ything to fear on that score. — And Deponent further saith, that he did not hear any words made use of by the said James Stuart, either at the time Aussant and Cournoyer gave their votes, or when the atguments above mentioned were made use of to Buck- ner, nor at any other time, to which it was possible to give such a meaning or signi- fication. — That the said James Stuart, on the occasions aforesaid, only warned Aussant, Cournoyer, and Buckner of the bad consequences that would follow their taking a false oath, and nothing more, and that it was with difficulty he could make himself heard when he wished to do so, on account of the violent opposition made by the opposite party to the explanation he wished to give. (Signed) LOUIS t PAUL. Mark. Sworn at Montreal, this 11th March, 1830, before me. (Signed) SAMUEL GALE, J. P. True Copy, J. STUAKT. ex No. V. 65 Affidavit ble Address to our Sov?- reigii Lord the King, praym;^ that iox :!ie reasons therein stated, he will be graciously pleased to dismiss James Stuart, Esquire, from the important tifice »■ . now fills of Attorney General of this Provijit,;, and iienceforward noi logrant unto the same Jaiixos Stuart any place oi trust whatsoever in this Province. Wherefore, wo respectfully pray your Excf.lleicy will be pU'i itofoiward the snirl Address t,o His Wiijesty's Ministers, ihat iiie samo may I;o laid ai; the foot 1 ' tUc Throne, * House of /issombly, Quebec, "'iJ March, iasi. (Signed,) L. J. PAPINEAU, Speaker of the House of Assembly. A true Copy, (Signed,) J. B. GLEGG, Sec'y. liJi 1- No. X. Cwpy of the Second of the two Addresses, referred to in the foregoing Letter : To His Excellency the Right Honorable Matthew Lord Aylmer, K. C. B. Captain General and oovernor in Chief in and over Provinces of Lower-Canada, Upper-Canada, Nova-Scotia, &c. &c. &"c. May it please your Excellency, Wp, His Majesty's faithful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Lower Canada, in Provincial Parliament assembled, desiring nothing so much as to draw closer the bonds which connect the inhabitants of this Country with His Majesty's Government, and to provide a remedy for the abuses that might tend to loosen them, address ourselves with the utmost confidence to your Excel- lency, praying most respectfully that your Excellency will be pleased to sus- pend James Stuart, Esquire, from the important Office which he now fills, of At- torney General of this Province, until His Majesty's pleasure be known, and this, may it please your Excellency — ' •' Because 71 No. IX. Copte tie la premiire des deux Adresses menlionnies daus la le/lre pricidente. A Son Excellence le Tri^s- Honorable Matthew Lord A^'Imcr, C. C. B., Capitaine-Gen(:Tal et Gouverneur en Chef, dans et sur les Provinces du Bas-Canada, Haut-Canada, Nouvelle-Ecossc, &c, &c. &c. Qu'il plaise a Votre Excellence, Nous, les fiddles ct loyaux sujets do Sa Mujest(5, I'Assemblte do u Bas-Canavls, rt-unis en Parlcment Provincial, informons tris-rc „ , la Pro. vince du Bas-Canavls, rt';unis en Parlcment Provincial, informons tris-rcspcctu- eusement Votre Excellence, que nous avons vote une humblo Ad^csse a Notry Souverain Seigneur le Roi, le priant que pour les causes y erionc(!cs, il veuille bien destituer James Stuart, Ecuyer, de la charge importante de Procurcur- Gendral qu'il occupe en cette Province, et de ne lui accordcr h '.'avenir aucuiu' place de confiance en icelle. C'est pourquoi, nous prions respectueusement Votre ExccH'jnce de vouloir bien transmettre la dite Adresse aux Ministres de Sa Majesty, afin qu'elle puisse €tre mise au pied du Tr6ne. (Signe,) Chambrc d'Asscmbl^e, Quebec, 22 Mars 1831. L. J. PAPINEAU, Orateur de la Chambre d'Assemblte. Vraie Copie. (Sign6,) J. B. GLEGG\ Seer. No. X. Copie de la seconde des deux Adresses mentiomiees dans la lettre precedente. A Son Excellence le Tr^s«Honorable Matthew Lord Aylmer, C. C. B., Capitaine-Gen^ral et Gouverneur en Chef, dans et sur les Provinces du Bas-Canada, Haut-Canada, Nouvelle-Ecosse, &c.'&c. &c. Qm'i7 plaise d Votre Excellence, Nous, les fiddles et loyaux sujets de Sa Majeste, les Communes du Bas-Canada, assemblees en Farlement Provincial, n'ayant de desir plus vif que celui de resserrer les nceuds qui attachent les habitans de ce Pays au Gouvernc- tnent de Sa Majest6, et de rem^dier aux abus qui pourraient I'affaiblir, nous adressons avec confiance in Votre Excellence, pour la pri^r respectueusement de vouloir suspendre James Stuart, Ecuyer, de la charge importante de Procureur- G6n6ral qu'il occupe en cette Province, jusqu'a ce que le plaisir de Sa Majesti' sojt connu, et ce, Qu'il plaise k Votre Excellence : Parce m Because he has abused the power with which he has been invested as such Attorney General, so as to lietray the confidence and trust with which His Majesty has honored him, and that he has, by the serious offences which he has committed in his high office, rendered himself totally unwortliy of Ills Miijcsty's future confidence. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of tliis Pro- vince, by persisting in prosecuting before the Superior Tribunals, persons accused of minor offences which ought to iiavc been prosecuted at the Quarter Sessions of the Peace, has been guilty of malversation in his office, and this with the sordid view of increasing his emoluments. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- vince, in order to shew his attachment to th'c Executive Government of the day, has been guilty of partiality and persecution in the execution of the du- ties of his office, lay instituting Libel prosecutions, unjust and ill founded, against divers persons, and has thereby rendered himself unworthy of the con- iidence of His Majesty's subjects in this Province. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- \ince, by making at the Election of Sorel or Borough of Williarn Henry, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, where he was one of the Candidates, use of threats and acts of violence, to intimidate some of the Electors of the said place, and by promising impunity to others, displayed his contempt of the freedom of Election, and has infringed the laws which jvrotect it. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by prosecuting for perjury certain Electors' of Sorel aforesaid, who had voted against him, and by refusing, or neglecting, to prosecute others who were no better qualified, but who had voted in his favor, was actuated hy motives of personal revenge, which made him forget his duty and the oath he has taken as His Majesty's Attorney General in this Province, and that it would he dangerous to continue to him powers of which he has made use, in so ar- bitrary and unjustifiable a manner. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by inducing at the said Election of Sorel, certain Electors who were not (piaiified to take oaths usual on such occasions, although he knew that those individuals were not qualified, has been guilty of subornation of perjury. Lastly, because by his conduct for several years past, the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Province, has brought the administration of Criminal Justice in this Province into dishonor and contempt ; and that he has been guilty of hi Miirs 18.11. MONSIKUK, J'ai i accuser hi reception dtt voire Lettre du 24 coiiraiit, avrc e»- semhle des copies du tleux Adrcsses y mentioiin<;es, do In ('iianibie d'Asscinbiie de cettc Province, I'une ^ Sa Majestc'', demaiulunt line destitntion dc lOtlicc de IMocureur-Uentral, I'autre il Son Kxcelicricc Ic Gonverneuren Chef, dcmandiint ina suspension d'oftice. Cette lettre nvec ces adresscs fut apportt'e hicr chez-tnui duns rjprcs-niidi, entre quatre et cinq heures. \'u la inultiplicitt- de devoirs ofiiciels qui demandcnt uiaintennnt mon attention, ce que Son Excellence n'ignore pas, ic nc uourrais sans beaucouj) dinconvd'nient, et peut-etrc sans que le service public en souilrit. en suspend) c on en omettre I'ex^cution, pour preparer en ce moment unc reponse aux accusatioijs de la Chambre d'Assenibhe. .le desi'X'rais done upprendre deSon Kxcellence, tjiiel court intervtille de temps Hon Excellence m'accordera pour cela. Si, cependant. Son Excellence exigc que je fasse uiio ff'ponsc imnu'diate, je mettrai toutes les autres attUires de cote, pour la prt'parcr, • ct deniain ellc sera produite. J'ai 1 honneur dVtre, Monsieur, Votre tres.humble tt obtissant servitcur, (Sign6,; STUART, I'rocureur'Gtniral, Lieut.-Col. Glegg, Secretaire S^c. S^c. I : No. XII. lettre du Lieul.-Col. Glegc;, Secretaire, S;c. a J. Stiakt, Ecuyer, Procureur. General. Quebec, 25 Mars IfcOl. MoNsiEun, Ayant soumis a Son Excellence leGouvcrneur en Chef, votre Lettre de cette date, i'a' ordre de vous informer qu'en autaat que Son Excellence y est concern^e, il'nest pas du tout necessaire que vous pr(-,)Uiez aucune rcponse aux accusations polices contre vous par la Chambre d'Ammblee ; altendu qii'd est tout-i\-fait Granger i\ la marr.he que Sa Seigneurie sj p.opose d'adopter, d'entrer le moins du monde dans les merites dc latl'aire, soit d uu c6te soil de I'autre. J'ai I'honneur d'etre. Monsieur, Votre treshumble et obeissant servitcur. (Signe,) Honorable J. Stuart, Proctireur-Gdneral. Vraie Copie. J-. STUART. - J. B. GLEGG, Secretaire. No. XI II. is , 76 No. XIII. Lellerfrom Lieut. Col. Gleoc, Secretarif,^c.to J. Stuaiit, Atlonwy General. Sill. C'a»ti,e of St. I.ewih, Quebec, 2Gtl. March, IHSl. I am rommanded by His Excellency the Governor in Chief, to transmit you the enclosed Copy of an Address, presented co His Excellency this day by thu House ot* Assembly, together with a Copy of His Lordsnip's Answer thereto. I have the honor to be, Sir, ^ )ur moiit obedient humble Servant, (Signed,) Honhle. J. Stuart, Attorney General, True Copy, J. STUART. J. D. GLEGG, Sec'y. No. XIV. Coptf of the Address rtferrei to in the foregoing letter. House of Assemoiy, Thursday, 24th March, 1831. Resolved, — That an humble Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor in Chief, praying that he will cause to be transmitted and laid at the ioot of the Throne, a copy of the evidence received by the Committee of Griev- ances, on the subject of the matters of complaint set forth in the Petition of divers inhabitants of the City Montreal, compluning of the conduct of James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General. Attest. (Signed,) Wm. B. LINDSAY, Clk. Assbly. True Copy. (Signed,) J. B. GLEGG, Secy. No. XV. Copy of the answer of His Excellency the Governor in Chitf, to the foregoing Address t Gemtlemek, The request conveved in this Address shall be duly attended to, and I will forward without aelay, to the Secretary of State for the Colo< nial n No. XIII. Lettre du Lieut.-CoU Gleoo, Secritaire, 8^c. d J. Stuaut, Ecuyer, Procurew Giniral. M ON SI Kin, CiiATF.Ai; Saint Louis, Quebec, iJG MarH 1831. J'ai ordre do Son Excellence le Gouverncur en Chef dc vouft trans* mcttre la Copie ci'incluse d'une Adrcsse prcsent^o & Son Excellence aujuurd'liui par la Chambre d'Assembl^e, avec ensemble unc copio do la ril'ponsc dc Son Excellence ii icelle. J'ai I'honncur d'l^tre, Monsieur, Votre tr^S'humblo et ob^issanc serviteur, (Sign6,) Honbk. J. Stuart, Proeureur-Geniral. Vraie Copie. J. STUART, J. B. GLEGG, Secretaire. XIV. Copie de Vadrtsu mentionnit dans la ItUrepricidtnte, \ Chambre d'Assembli!.^, Jeudi, 24 Mars, 1831. Resolu, Qa'il soit pr^sentd one hamble Adresse k son Excellence le Gouverneur-en-Chef, pour le prier de transmettre au pied du TrAne, Copie des T6moignages pris par le Coniit6 des Griefs, an sujet des plaintes articul^es dans la Petition de divers Habitans de la cit6 de Montreal, se plaignan^ de la condnite de James Staart, ^cayer, Frocareur-G^n^ral. Attest^, Vraie copie, (Sign£; J. B. GLEGG, Seer. (Sign6,) W. B. LINDSAY, Greff. Ass^e. No. XV. Copie de la riponse de son Excellence le gouvemeur-en-ehef d f adresse pricedente. Messieurs, J'aurai ^gard i la demande conten^e dans cette adresse, et je trans, mettrai sans d61ai, au Secretaire d'Etat pourle d^partement colouial, pour quelle aoit 11 / 1 H it I '' ' M' ), ':¥ 78 uial Department, for the purpose of being laid at the foot of the Throne, a copy o^ the evidence received by the Committee of Grievances, on the sub- ject ot the matters of complaint set forth in the Petition of divers inhabitants of the City of Montreal, complaining of the conduct of James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General. (Signed,) AYLMER, Governor in Chief. Castle of St. Lewis, Quebec, aCth March, 1831. A true Copy, (Signed,) J. B. GLEGG, Sec'y. lit I No. XVI. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel GLECio Secretary, Sgc. to J. Stuaut, Esquire, Attorney General, Sir, Castee of St. Lewis, Quebec, '28th March, 1831. In reply to your letter of the 23rd instant, I have been directed by the Governor in Chief to state, that His Excellency takes an entirely dift'y- rent view to that which you appe?r to entertain, regarding the part which he lias to perform on the occasion of k.ie application he has received from the House of Assembly, to suspend you from the exercise of your functions as Attorney General, Htitil the pleasure of the King shall be known on the subject of a Petition addressed to His Majesty, praying for your removal from office of Attorney General of this Province. It appears to Llis Excellency, that he is not called upon to decide, or even to pronounce an opinion, upon the merits of the case submitted to His Majesty, in the Petition of the House of Assembly. — These are questions to be determined by others, and much higher authority than his ; and that what he has to consider resolves itself into this simple question, whether it is cxpe- dicnt or otherwise, under all the circumstances of the case, to comply in this instance with the desire of the House of Assembly, If your suspension from the exercise of )our official functions as Attorney General were to be taken as an indication that the Governor in Chief had formed an ojjinion in unison with the view taken by the House of Assembly, of the charges which have been preferred against }ou, most unquestionably no consideration should induce him to be guilty of an act so i alpably unjust, for he is not in this case invested with the necessary authority, or possessed of the necessary information to enable him to pronounce an opinion, one way or the other. — Neither can His Excellency be brought to think, that your suspension can in reason be considered as implying a conviction of criminality on )our part.— Supposing that the King should cause you to repair to England, to answer the charges now preferred by the House of Assembly, your suspension would then take place as a matter of necessity, and certainly could not in that case be regarded in the light of condemnation. ■ On 79 soit mise au pied dii tr6no, une copie des tcmoignngcs qua pris Ic Comite des Griefs au siijet de la plainte portee dans la ptjtitiou de divers habitans do la cite do MontiiSal, se plaignantdc la coiiduite de James Stuart, ecuyer, procurcur- g6n^ral. (SigiK-,) AYLMER, Gouverneur-cii-Clief. CliAtcau St. Louis, Quebec, 2G Mars, 1831. Vraio copie, (Sign6) J. B. GLEGG, Secretaire. Lettre du Lieut.-Col. Glegc No. XVI, Secretaire, Sfc. d J. Stuart, ecuyer, Pracuretir- General. Monsieur, Chateau St. Louis, Quebec, 28 Mars, 1831. Enreponsea votre lettre du 23 courant, j"ai ordre du Gouverneur-en- Clief, de dire, que son Excellence considere sous un tout autre point de vue que vous paraissez lefaire, la partqu'il a a remplir a I'occasion de la dcmandc que lui a faitela Chambre d'Assemblee, devous suspendre dc rcxprcice de vos fonctions de Procureur-G^neral, jusqu'a ce que le plaisir Royal soit connue a I'epnrd d'une petition adressde i\ Sa Majcste, demandant votre destitution dc I'officc de Procureur-G^n^'ral de cctte Province. II semble h son Excellence qu'elle n'est pas appclcc u decider ni meine a prononcer^une opinion, sur les m^rites do I'affiiire soumis .i Sa Majestd dans la Petition de la Cliambre d'Asscmblee, ce sont la des questions qu'il appartient a d'autrcs il decider, et i\ une autorit6 bien supericurc ;\ la sienne ; et que ce qu'elle a i\ consid^rer se resout a cctte simple question, s'il est ou n'est pas expedient, vil toutes lescirconstances de I'affairc, de se confornicr on cctte occa- sion au d(!'sir de la Chambre d'Asscmblee. Si votre suspension de rexercice devos fonctions ofHcielles comme Procureur-G6i(5ral devait etre prise commc indice que le Gonvcrneur-en-Chef aurait form6 imc opinion conforme ;\ la mani^re dont la Chambre d'Asscmblee a rcgarde' los accusations qui ont hi- port^cs rontre vous, tri)s assurement aucunc consideration ne pourrait I'induire a se rendre coupable d'un acte d'une injustice aussi palpapic, car il n'est pas revitu de I'autorite n^cessairc, ni en possession des renseignemens n^cessaires pourlemettre en etat de prononcer une opinion, soit d'un cote soit dc I'autre. Son Excellence ne peut non plus penser, que votre suspension puisse etre re- gard^e comme impliquantune conviction de culpability de votre part. Supposant que le Roi vous appelle en Angleterre pour r<;pondre aux accusations porl^es maintenant par la Chambre d'Asscmblee, votre suspension aurait lieu dans ce cas comme chose denecessit6 et ne pourrait assurement pas fitre regard^e dans ce cas comme une condamnation. D'un 80 On the other hand, should the Governor in Chief resist the desire of the House of Assembly on this occasion, he would then indeed invest himself with the character, (that of a Judge,) which he now distinctly disclaims ; for were he to suffer you to be continued in the exercise of your functions, in the face of the solemn charges preferred by the House of Assembly, it might be very fairly inferred, that in the opinion of His Excellency these charges were not susceptible of being sustained. The Governor in Chief has no right to assume, that the charges exhibited against you proceed from private malice, and political animosity : — that again belongs to the merits of the case, with which (he cannot too often repeat it,) he has nothing to do. But, the application for suspension comes to him from the whole Plouse of Assembly in a body, as one entire branch of the Legislature of this Province, and in that view is entitled to very great deference, and consideration on the part of the (lovernor in Chief. Finally. — It becomes my duty to inform you, that the Governor in Chiefi after having maturely considered the request submitted to him by the House of Assembly in all its bearings, finds himself compelled to adopt a measure most painful to his feelings, by desiring that you will consider your functions, as Attorney General of this Province, suspended until the pleasure of His Majesty shall be known. The documents which accompanied your letter of the ^3d instant, are herewith returned ; — they have not even been unfolded by thn Governor in Chief ; for being neither Judge nor party in the cause now at issue between the House of Assembly and yourself, he considered the perusal of these documents as quite foreign to the part which belongs to him to per- form. His Excellency desires aie to add that he will willingly transmit, to the Secretary of State, these or any other documents or representations which you may think proper to confide to his care. T have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient humble Servant, True Copy, J. STUART. (Signed,) J. B. GLEGG, Sec V. 81 D'un autre cole si le Gouverneur-en-Chef resistait au d(5sir de la Chambre d'Assembl^e en cette occasion, il prendrait bien alors le caract^re (celui de Juge,) qu'il desavoue maintenant a'une mani^re claire et distincte ; car s'il permettait que vous continuassiez dans I'excrcicc dc vos fonntions, il la face d'accusations solcnnclles port<5es par la Chambre d'Assemblt-e, on en pourrait conclure, avec raison, que dans I'Dpinion de son Excellence ces accusations n'etaient pas suiceptibles d'etre soutenues. Le Gouverneui;-en.Chef n'a pas le droit de supposcr, que les accusations qui sont portecs contre vous proc6dent de malice individuelle et d'animosit6 politi- que :— c'est encore la un point qui appartient aux m^rites de I'afFaire, avec lesquels (il ne saurait le repi}■ quite intelligible to the most igno- rant of the persons for who<»e information it was intended, — and, as applied to a government still possessed of any efficiency, I believe to be almost without ex- ample. In using this disgraceful term, the writer would seem to have sought, in a single expression, to unite, in the most ofTensive libel, a direct incitement to in> Hiirrection ; for, if the Government were to be considered a nuisance, as repre- sented by him, that nuisance, like every other nuisance, it is fair to infer, was to be abated : and, as if to render his meaning unambiguous, he immediately adds, that if the country would co-operate with firm and decisive measures, it would be speedily extinguished. Among the vague and general charges conveyed in this article against His Majesty's Government, admitting of no answer, is one of a specific nature, which, in a variety of insulting forms, had been before made in the same paper, and could not fail to make a strong impression on an ignorant population. The Colonial Government is charged with reviving Militarj Ordinances, against the plainest rules of legal construction. To reniier intelligible this gross libel on the Govern-, ment, it is necessary to mention, that in the twenty-seventh and twenty-ninth years of His late Majesty's Heigii, two Ordinances weie passed by the Legislature of the country, at that period, one of wl :ci\ is intituled, «' An Ordinance for bet- " ter regulating the Militia of this Proviiu* and rendering it of more general utility *' towards the preservation and security thereof;" and the otherjof which is inti- tuled, " An Ordinance to explain and amend the first mentioned Ordinance." — • These Ordinances were permanent Laws, for regulating the Militia of the Pro- vince, the operation of which some years afterwards was suspended by several successive Statutes, containing a temporary repeal of them, and substituting, fiuiing the period of such temporary repeUI, other provisions, in the place of those contained in the Ordinances. The first of these Statutes was passed in the year 1794, and the last in 1825, by which last Statute the temporary repeal of these Ordinances was continued to the 1st of May 1S27, and no longer. At this period, by the expiration of the temporary repealing Statutes, the Ordinances revived, and again became the law by which the Militia was regulated. It was peculiarly fortunate for the peace and tranquility of the country, that, in the absence of any other provisions, this revival took place ; inasmuch as, besides the ordinary security conferred by a Militia Law, there is this peculiar benefit de- rived from it in this Province, that it furnishes Peace Officers throughout the country Parishes, that is, throughout the whole Province, with the exception of the Towns of Quebec, Montreal, and Three-Rivers; there being a special pro- vision of law by which Captains of Militia and OlHcers of inferior grade are con- stituted Peace Officers, and there being no other Peace Officers except in these three Towns. Without a Militia Law, therefore, the country at large would have been without the legal means of maintaining, effectually, its internal tranquillity. The Government having, as it was its duty to do, and as the public safety and interest required, enforced these Ordinances as a part of the Law of the land, a clamour against them was immediately raised by disaffected persons, who, aware of the salut-.iry and necessary power with which they permanently armed the Government, were anxious to prevent the execution of them. Among these persons the Editor of the Canadian Spectator, as the organ of the party to which he belongs, rendered himself conspicuous ; and it is with reference to these Or- dmaiices that he presumes to charge the Government with reviving Military Ordinances, against the plainest rules of legal construction. It is proper to add, that amidst the opposition which the execution of the Ordinances experienced, some Militia men having been fined for not attending the reviews required by these lap villes Ugai tensj cutic menli Spec de ci Ord{ Ilesl 87 sujct (le ccttc conciliation antici()6e que I'ecrivaiti lance la tirade ({'injures virn* lentes qui suit, ct qui finit pjrquaiiHer dc " nuisance" a Sa Majcstt', io Cioiivcriie- nient Culoniul ; c'est, il faut i'admcttre, nne t»n\tc de libcllolaconiquc ct( onceii- tn'e, tout-a-l'ait intilit'^ible a la plupait des gi ns i quels on Ic destinait, et s'appliqtianta uu Ciouvcrnt ment puRsidant eiicurcdc TcC. ficacite, die est, je crois, presque sans excmplc. En t'aisant usn^c de ce terme disgracieux, I'l'crivnin semble avoir chcrclie a n'linirdans un scui mot, dans loii- belle ic plus oH'ensant, une invitation directe i\ lu it volte ; car si It- (■otivernement devait f-trc regarde conime une nuisance, selon qu'il le rcprrscnte, la conclu- sion qu'on devait en tirerraisonnablcment, c'est que cctte nuisance comnie touli* autre (icvait itrc abattuc : et comme pour rendrcson intention moins ambigue, il ajoutc aussitut, que si le pays voulait co opcrer a prendre des niesures fermcs ct dii- cisives, ellc scrait bientot disparuc. I'ariui les accusations vagues et gdnerales que contcnait cct ccrit contrc Ic Couvcrni-'mcntdc Sa Majestt-, et qui n'admetlaicnt aucunc 'iponses il s'en trouve une d'unc nature particulierc, qui sous diflcrentes formes insultantes, avail deja etc fiiitcauparavant dans cemt'mc papier, et qui ne pouvait manqner.de fiiiro une ibrte impression parmi une population i<{norantc. Le Gouveniement Colonial est acciis(!' de remettre en force des ordonnances militaires, contre les nj^les leu plus simples de I'interpretation des lois. Pour rendre intelligible ce libelle gros- sier contre le Gouvernement, i! est ntcessairc de dire, quedans la vingt-'cptieme et la vingt-neuviemeanniesdu Ui^gne de Sa feue Majcstc, la Legislature du pays d'alors passa deux Ordonnances, dont Time est intitulee, " (Jrdonnance pour " mieux regler la Milice de cette Province, et la rendre d'une utilite plus gcn^-- " rale pour la conservation et suretc d'icclle :' dont I'autre est intituLc, " Ur- " donnance pour expliqucr et amendcr I'Crdonnance mentionnee en fremier " lieu," les Ordonnances ijtaient des lois permancntes jioiir reg er la Milice de la Province, dont I'operation futsuspcndue quelqucs aiuues aprcs par divers Stu- tuts successifs, contenant la revocation temporaired'icelle, et substitunnt, pour ic temps de telle revocation temporaire, d'autres dispositions a celles qui ttaientcon- tenues dans ces Ordonnances. Le premier de ces .Statuts fut passe en I'annt'e 1794, et le dernier en 1825, par lequel dernier Statut la rtvdcation temporaire de ces Ordonnances fut continuce au ler Mai 1827, et pas plus long-temps. A ce temps, les Statuts qui opcraient une revocation temjioraire venanl a expirer, les Ordonnances reprirent leur force, et devinrent de nouveau la loi qui reglait la mi- lice. Ce fut une circonstance heureuse pour la paix et la tranquillitc du pays, que, dans I'abserce de toute autre loi, cette remise en force eut, lieu ; d'autant plus, quoutre lasurete que procure ordinairemeiit une Ini rl? milice, il y a cet avantage particulieren cette province, qu'elle fournit des officiers de paix a tcutes les paroissesde campagne, c'est a-dire, dans toiitc la province, a Texception des villes de Quebec, de Montreal et des Trois Rivieres ; la loi contenant une dispo- sition speciale par laquelle les Capitaines cle iVJilice et Ofliciers inferieurs sont constitucs Officiers de Paix, et n"y ayant d'Officiers de Paix que dans ces trois villes. C'est pourquoi, sous une loi de milice. Ic paysentier aurait ute sans moyens 16gaux de maintenir efficaccment sa tranquillite interieuro. Le ( Jouvernement ayant, comme il etaitde son devoir de le fairc, et comme le demandaic nt la si'irete et I'inttrct publics, remis en force ces Ordonnances comme lois du pays, les niccon- tens jetcrent aussitot les hauts cris contre files, dans le desir d'en enipechei I'ex/;- cution, connaissant le pouvoir salutaii e et necessaire dont elles ainaicnt pernianem- ment le Gouvernement. Parmi ces gens figura surtout I'Editeur du Canadian Spectator, con^rneetant Torgane du pays auquel il appartient ; et c'est an sujet de ces Ordonnances qu'il ose accuser le Gouvernement de remettre en force des OrdonnancesMilitaires, contre les regies les plus simples de I'interprJtation des lois. 11 est a propos d'ajouter, qu'au milieu de I'opposition qn'eprouva I'executicn de ces ^ I 88 P Vi 'i these laws, an Tction of trespass was brought against tlie OflRcers, by ^^hom the fines were Ic'\ , ', (or the express purpose, as the public were iulornu 1 by the C anadiau Spectator and his associate papers, of tryinjr "u validity ol llie Orilin- anccs. This action has been since broiipht to issue, >! ' i.pon this question no Gentleman couhl be found, who was willing to com}.:uUiisc hift professional cha- racter, by maintaining the Ordinances not to bo in force. Th'j consequence has been, that upon a hearing, at the instance of the Defendants, these Ordinances have been solemnly adjudged, by His Majesty's Court of Kiufi's Bench, to have been in force from the 1st May, 18^27, the period at which the last of the tempo- rary repealing Statutes expired ; and this decision it has not been attempted to impeacii. The second of these prosecutions is grounded on an article in the Canadian Spectator of the 3d November, KsQy, for which an Indictment was found against the same individuals, ns in the case of the former prosecution, in the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, h Id at Montreal in that month; avd t!)c matter charged as libellouj will be foimd in the extract No. v?, in the an- nexed Appendix. The enforcing of the Militia Orditianccs, in this, as in the ar- ti'les already noticed, is made the groiuid of the imputations against the Govern- ment; and the writer of this article introduces a libellous letter from Mr Tho- mas Lee to the Governct in Chief, under the general head " Militia." He pre- faces this letter, by expressing his approbation of it, — by stating that the doc- trines propagated by His Majesty's Government should maki; all true British Subjects boil with indignation, — and by charging the Governor with having, by ? "s Proclamatio.i or General Order, made law and military law, and with defa- ming British Subjects, because they declined obedience to orders which were not law. 'J'hc!5C dsgraceful charges have no other foundation than the execiilioii of the laws of the land, which the Editor and Printer of the Newspaper now re- ferred t ;, i-.:u the hardihood to assiue the country were not laws. In the letter of Ml. in: ^iiich follows these prefatory remarks, this individual insidts the per- son a! tiic h ad of tiie Government, and the Government itself, by charging the GovfjDor i'. Chief, with issuing afl illegal Militia Order, and by imputing to him lyninny and oppression, and also, falsehoods ; and it is this letter which the Canadian Spectator, in the article in question, held up to the public in terms of high commendation, as a very interesting document. The third of these prosecutions was occasioned, by an article proceeding from the same press, and contained in a newspa|.er called the Sprclaleur Cana- dien of the 14th of November, 1827 ; for which an indictment was also found by the grand jury in the same court, against James Lane, the piinter of that paper. Of this article a copy will be foimd in the extract, No. 3, in the annexed appendix. To convey an fulequate idea of the malignity of this libel, and of the total absence of all ground /or the criminal charge it conveys against the admi- nistration of justice, it is necessary to state a few facts. A new street had been laid out at Montreal, under the authority of the Magistrates theie, and in exe- cution of the provisions of the Road Act, prov. stat. 36 Geo. III. cap. 9. After this street had been laid out, a Mr, Stanley Basrg, deriving an alleged title from a convent of nuns cal'edthe Grey Sisters, thought proper to erect a wooden building on it. This being an obstruction of a highway and a nuisance, it be- came the duly of the surveyor of the highways, which office is filled by a Mr. Viger, to remove it. in the manner prescribed by the 68th section of the same Road Act. Mr. Viger having neglected to perform this duty, one or more or- ders of the magistrates, assembled in special session, was made, enjoining on him the performance of it. After one certainly, and I believe, two orders to the same effect, thiee mn^istrates, of their own mere authority, individually, and without any special session having been called to re-consider the subject, presumed to issue 69 CCS Or Jonnanccs, qiidqiics milicicns a) ant I't^ mis a I'amciule pour n'avoir |)a< ns- H\stv mix revues rcquiscs par la loi, on intcrita uiic action eii dojnniajjc contre Ics Ollicicrs qni avaicnt \cv6 les amciulcs lUns la viic cxprensc, cunimo le piihlic cii lilt informe par la voie (In Canadian Spectator ct clc5 papicrs ilii mi'inc parti, cl'i*. prouvcr la valiilili ilesOr>!oniianccs. dttc action a dcpnis i tc amcni c .'t tin, tt on nc trouva p rsonnc dans le IJarrpaii qni \oulut compromeitre, dans ccttc cansc, son caractcrc professionncl, en niamtcnant que les Onlonnancos n'ltaient pas en force. La consequence on a I'td qiiesur nne audition, a I'instance dcsde- i'unilcurs, la Cour du Banc dn Uoi dc Sa Majcstc''. a solcniu'llcmciit d trueux procede, I'auteur de i'article ajoute : " les Magistrats qui se trouvent " blesses par ce supersedeas sontdu nombre des Grands-juris, et le President de " la Police si^ge k cette Cour ! ! Dans une soci^td plus ^clair^e I'^crivain d'un article aussi extravagant s'aUireraitle ridicule et le m^pris uiiverscl, et I'exccs mdme de sa folic empMierait qu'il a'eiii aucune mauvaise consequence. Mais it n'en est pas ainsi dans ce pays, od le peuple pour Tedification duquel cet article etait ^crit, est plough daris une telle ignorance, qu'il aurait sf^.iieusement accueiili une telle accusation portee centre I'administration de la justice, et que cette accusation aurait fait une forte impression. Cet article outre son caract^re libeU leux, il est k propos aussi de le remarquer, .m6ritait une consideration si^'rieuse sous un autre rapport, comme <^'tant la manifestation d'un principe sur lequel agit ordinairement la presse dont il. provient, celui de faussement representor et de calomnier ^administration de la justice, toutes les fois que quelques-uns du parti qui la supporte s'exposait k £tre punis pour avoir enfreict les lois. M. Viger, Inspecteur des Chemins, est ^Iroitement li^ par parent^, et autrement, au parti qui sdpporte le Spectateur Canadien : de 1^, sans doute, le motif de faussement reprfsenter les proc^d^s en question ; dans I'attente aussi, supposition qu'on peut faire sans manquer de charit^, que le Petit-juri (corapos6 de gens illettr^,) qui devait juger 1' affaire, ne manquerait pas d'etre influence par cet expos6 libelleux. La quatri^me de ces poiirsuites est tiree d'un article contenu dans le Canadian Spectator du S4 novembre dernier, pour lequel M* Waller, I'Editeur, et M. Duvernay, I'lmprimeur de ce papier, furent mis en accuftaUon dans la Cour du Banc du Koi de Sa Majest6 tenue k Montreal en mars dernier, et dont on trou- vera une cbpie dans I'extrait No. 4, dans I'Appendice Ci annex6. Pour entendre ce libelle, il est n^cessaire de faire mention, que dans h Cour du Banc du Roi; tenue k Montreal en septembrc 1827> il avait ^t^ prisente des actes d'accusation contre diverses personnes pour parjure, par elles commis k une Election qui eQt lieu k William Henry, dans le mois de juillet precedent, - en jurant faussement Au'elles avaient les qualifications n^cessaires pour avoir droit de voter a la dite election. Sur ces actes d'accusation le Grand-juri avait fait un rapport dUgno- ramus f et de nouveaux actes d'accosation pour les mimes' offenses furent mis devant le Orand-juri de la Cour d'Oyer et Terminer et de d^livrance g^n^rale des Prisons, tenue k Montreal en novembre 18^, lequel Grand juri trouva raati^re ^ mise en accusation. Dans I'article maintenant en question, ri^nora/ni/5 rap- ports sur les actes d'accusation dans le mois de septembre, est appel6 " une " absolution par le pays ;" et sur cela la Cour d'Oyer et Terminer est accus£e devant le public pour avoir, y est-il dit, renverse amsi le principe bien connu de la loi AngMise, d'apr^ lequel I'absolution d'ua Juri met k Vtitd de toute pour- kuite it 'it' M 92 i|^--: ill;. having thereby determineJ that an individual is exposed to be prosecuted, to inii' nity, for an otfence of which he has already been acquitted by the country. In addition to this libellous charge against the court itself, the grand jury of the same court, having exercised a legal and constitutional power in finding these hills, is charged with having allowed themselves to be used as an instrument. The foreman is represented as a person unworthy of confidence, and all the mem- bers of the jury, with the exception of five or six, are held up to cbbcjoy ; while the five or six arc made the objects of special commendation and eulogy, it being stated that their characters, private and public, and the independant nianncr with which they opposed, though without success, all these proceedings, made an honorable exception in their favour, and obliged the writer of the article to dis* tinguish them from the rest. This scandalous libel on the court and grand jury, by which the court is made criminal for permitting that which is the practice of every day, and by M'hich the proceedings of the latter, rendered secret under the obligation of ah oath, are disclosed, or professed, to be disclosed, and are made the subject of disgraceful remarks, must be referred to the same motive which dictated that already noticed, with respect to the prosecution of Mr. Viger. The persons pro- secuted for perjury had voted for a candidate supported by ths party by which tile Canadian Spectator itself is supported. On this ground, they were to be* screened from public justice; and for this purpose, courts and juries through whose power it was attempted to bring them to justice, were to be calumniated, for having entertained prosecutions against them, and were to be overawed be- fore trial and judgment. I will only beg leave to add, with respect to this prose- cution, that only one of the indictments for perjury which were ignored by a grand jury in September I8S7, and found by a grand jury ni November following, has been tried since the publication of this libellous article, and on that indictment the party accused, one Joseph Claprood, was found guilty by a common jury, on the clearest evidence. The fiflh and sixth of these prosecutions has been occasioned, by an article contained in the Quebec Gazette of the 2Sth February 1828, being a newspaper published by Samuel Neilson, at Quebec. For this article an indictment was found against Mr. Neilson, the editor and printer of the paper, and another indict- ment against Mr. Charles Mondelet, by the grand jury ' the Court of King's Bench, held at Quebec in March last, and a copy <.'ili be found in thp Extract No. 5, of the annexed Appendix. This prosecution differs from those of which an a.xount has been given, in a very important particular, that is, in what respects the means employed for the composition of the libel, and for giving weight and effect to it. In the pro- secutions already noticed, the libellous art;c es proceeded from insulated indivi- duals, expressing their sentiments individually: in this prosecution, the libel proceeded from a number of individuals invested with public authority, a» ma- gistrates and officers of Militia, and associated under the imposing name of a Constitutional Committee, These persons, being officers of Militia, erect them- selves into a tribunal for trying the validity of the public acts and orders of the commander in chief of the militia, and pass sentence on them; as in their wisdunt seemeth fit. — TheV' assume to themselves all the form of a legally constituted body, and arraign the conduct of the commander in chief, in aucii terms as to imply in tlTem a right of determining on it. it is for the publicalion.of a libel proceeding from such u self-constituted body, and conveyed in the form of re- solutions, of a letter, and of a speech, that this prosecution wa& instituted. Of the grounds on which the exercise, of the power complained of took place, 1 am ignorant, nor would it seem at all necessary to be informed of them, inas- much as, whether right or wrong, it could never be canvassed and determined on, by such a self constituted body as a ** Constitutional Committee," without a sur- render Jassi Is due dele de 8 disci pou' sois thp 93 suite ultdrjcure pour le m^mc crime ; ct pour avoir decide par-la qu'une pcrsonnc est expos^e A £tre poursuivie, i\ Tinfini, pour une oft'ense dont elle a d^ja ^tr abtoute par le pays. Outre cettc accusation libclleuse contre la Cour clle-meme, le Grand-juri de la m^rne Cour, ayant exeic6 un pouvoir l^cal et constitution- nel en mettant en accusation les pr^venus dont il est parl6 phis Iiaut, est accuse de s'etre rendu Tinstrument d'autrui. On parle du president comme d'un homme indigne de confiance j et Ton jette du louche sur tous les autrcs membres du Jur i, ^ I'exception decinq ou six ; tandis que ceux-ci sont I'objet d'clogcs particuliers ; on dit d'eux que leurs caractdres publics et priv6s, et Tind^pendance avec laqtielle ils se sont opposes, quoique sans succ^s, i\ tous ces proc6d^s, faisaient une exception bonorable en Icur f'aveur, et obligeait I'ecrivain de I'articie a les distinguer des autres. Ce libelle scandaleux contre la Cour et le Grand-juri, par lequel on incri- mine la Cour pour avoir permis ce qui est de pratique journalidre, et par lequel les proc6d^3 de ce, dernier, rendus secrets sous I'ubiigation du serment, sont d6- couverts, ou donn^'S comme I'^tant, et rendus le sujet de remarques fl^trissantcs, doit ^tre attribu^ au uidme motif que ceiui qui dicta le libelle dont il a d(ji\ etc parl(!!', a I'egard de la poursuite de M, Viger. Les personnes poursuivies pour parjure avaient votd pour un candidal qui avait I'appui du parti par lequel le Canadian Spectator est suppofte. Pour cette raison, il fallait les mettre k I'abri de la justice publique ; et pourparvenir A cette fin, il fallait calomnier les Cours et les Juris par le moyen desquels on essayait de les amener <\ la justice, |)our avoir maintenu les poursuites contre clles, et il fallait les intimidcr avant le proces et le jugemcnt, Je demande a ajouler seulement, ;\ I'egard de cette poursuite, qu'un seul des actes d'accusation pour parjure sur lesquels un Grand-juri fit rap- port d'i«:noramus, en septembre 1827, et qu'uti Grand-juri a maintenu en no- vembre suivar.t, n'a 6t& mene k fin depuis la publication de cet article libelleux, et sur cet acte d'accusation, le prevenu, un nomme Joseph Claprood, a it6 trouv6 coupable par lui Juri ordinaire, sur la preuve la plus claire. La cinqui^me et la sixidme deces poursuitesont et6 occasionn^espar un|artic]e contenu dans la Ga'ette de Quebec du 28 fevrier 1828, Papier-nouvelle public par Samuel Neilson, k Quebec. Pour cet article, M. Neilson I'^ditegr et I'im- primeur du papier, a ^t^ mis en accusation, de meme que M. Charles Mondelet, par un Grand-juri, dans la Cour du Banc du lloi, tenue k Quebec en mars der- nier, et on trouvera une copie dans I'extrait No. 5 de I'Appendice ci-annex^. Cette poursuite diff^re de celles dont il a di]k Ite parl^, dans un point tres- important, savoir, en ce qui regarde les moyens qu'on a employes pour la compo- sition du libelle, et pour lui donner du poids et de Teffet. Dans les poursuites d^k mentionn^es, les articles libelleux provenaient d'individus isol6s, qui exprimaient indtviduellement leurs sentimens : dans cette poursuite, le libelle venait d'un nombre d'individus rev^tus d'autorit^ publique, en leurs qualites de magistrats et d'officiers de milice, et associ^s sous le nom imposant de " Comit6 Cpnstitutionnel ." Ces personnes dtantofficiers de milice, se constituaient un tribunal pourjuger de la validitd des actes publics et des ordres du commandant en chef de la milice, et ? assent sentence sur eux, selon que dans leur sagesse ils le jugent convenable. Is prennent la forme d'un corps legalemenc constitu^, et accusent la conduite du commandant en chef^ dans des termes k donner k entendre qu'ils avaient droit de le faire. C'est pour la publication d'un libelle proc^dartt d'un corps c onstitue de sa seule autorit^, et donn6 sous la forme de resolutions, d'une lettre et dun discouis, que cette poursuite a ^t^ intent^e. J'ignore les raisons de I'exercice du pouvoir dont on se plaint, et il n'est ce semblerait, nullement n6cessaire que j'en sols informe, en autiint que, juste ou )ion, il ne pouvait £tre attaqn6 ni jug^, par un corps constitu^ de sa seule autorit^, tel qu'est un " Comit^ Constitutionnel," sans un abandon des pouvoirs qui appartiennent au gouvernement <^tabli. Dans -:, ■ ■-■.■ •• Ifi -i.l my < Hf l!n:i:' 94 render of the powers incident to the established Government. In the resolutions and letter, the conduct of the commander in chief is arraigned as bein]^ arbitrary and unjust ; and it is said by this body of militia officers, that in their opinion, " eel atli^ui de la part de son Excellence, (meaning the fact alleged by the com- " mander in chief as the foundation of his general order,) est eatiirement mat " JbndS." In the speech, the commander in chief is spoken of, in the most disrespectful and indecent terms ; he is charged in offensive language, with be> ing guilty of a departure from truth, with being under the influence of absurd and tyrannical notions, and with making defamatory accusations not deserving of refutation ; and the administration of tne government by him is represented as being influenced and directed by persons " gui s'evertuent d le tromper ; et qui sacryient honleusement leur honneur et leurs droits pour encourager vne oppression dont il n'y a jamais eu d'exemple dans des colonies Anglaises !" Not satisfied with theseterms of abuse, the orator immediately after characterizes the persons last spoken of, that is, the principal officers of His Majesty's Government, with wliose advice the Governor is presumed to be assisted, as being a " horde d'en- vuhisseurs et de destruc tears, (de volonte ait moinsj de nos droits, and represents two individuals, then recently dismissed from their rank in the militia, as entitled to the glory *' de voir leurs noms tnscrils sur le catalogue de viclimes de leur devou- emenl d la cause sacrie de la patrie." In conclusion, he charges the commander . in chief, with a criminal and disgraceful abuse of the patronage of the Crown, by stating that the persons on whom he conferred honors were those " qui ne se les font prodiiiuer, qu'en abjurant leur Joi politique, qu'en ie declarant traitres a la patrie, et enjlelrissant pour toujours un nom qui ne leur a 6l4 donne que pour y ojoutercelui de vrai Canadien. The seventh of these prosecutions is grounded on an ariicle contained in the same newspaper, the Quebec Gazette, of the 11th March, 1828, for which an indictment was found against Mr. Neilson, the Printer and Editor of that paper, in the same term of the Court of King's Bench, held at Quebec in March, 1828, and of which a copy will be found in the Extract, No. 6, in the annexed Appendix. In this prosecution, the libel is of the same character as that last men* tiooed. The example set by the Constitutional Committee of Three-Riv/ers, in composing and publishing the libel of which an account has been given, was too agreeable to the tieeiings of the turbulent and ill-disposed elsewhere, and too well calculated to answer their views, not to be followed : other ineetings of similarly sell-constituted bodies called '* Constitutional Commit- tee^," were therefore held fur a like purpose, and among these a meeting of the " United Constitutional Committees," of the Parishes of St. Gregory, B^cancour, Gentilly and St. Pierre les Becquets, the proceedings of Vbich gave occasion to the seventh prosecution. At this meeting, the same assump- tion of the forms of a legally constituted public body obtained, as in the case of its prototype at Three- Rivers. In the 1st Resolution, it was declared, that the Meeting, being composed of the "majority of the ofiicers of the 3rd battalion of the County of Buckinghamshire," would iinm^diately take into consideration the general order of militia which was complained of ; and in the ten following resolutions, this meeting of militia ofiicers, assembled io that character, express, in various forms of language, their disapproba- tion of the conduct of the Commander in Chief, which they pronounce to be arbitrsu-y and unjust. But the 6th and 7th of these Resoulutions wereparti- . cuUrly deserving of attention. By the 6th they declared, Qufi les persomes qui acceptent des commissions, en remplacement de Cjfw qui ont it6 desdtues sans , cQUte legitime, mSritent f approbation publique, et ne doivtmt etre consideries que comneennenM des droits ditpeupk. T^y ^^^ 7th they declared, Que les menibres les bitr •• c I' f ■ 4- \ . > 05 les resolutions et la lettre, la conduite du commandant en chef est qualifi^e d'ar^ bitraire et d'injuste ; et ce corps d'ofiiciers de milice avanco que dans son opinion, " cet all^gue de la part de sou Excellence (voulant dire le fait all^gu^ par le " commandant en chef comme le fondement de son ordre g(-n<-ral,) est entit'Tc- " ment maf fbnd^." Dans le discours, on parle du commandant en chef dans les tennes les plus irrespectueux et les plus ind^cens ; il est accuse, dans un langage insultant, de s'^tre (l^parti de la verity, d'etre sous I'inHuence de notions absurdcs et tyranniqnes, et de faire des accusations diifamatoires, qui ne demandent pas h £tre repouss^es ; et Ton y repr^-sente {'administration du gouvernement par lui comme 6tant sous {'influence et la direction de gens " qui s'^vertuent h le tromper, '* et qui sacriflent honteusement leur honneur et leurs droits pour encourager une •< oppression dont il n'y a jamais eu d'exemple dans des Colonies Anglaises." Non content de ce langage injurieux, I'orateur qualifie imm^diatement apr^s les gens dont il est parl^ en dernier lieu, c'et-^-dire, les principaux ofliciers du gouvernement de sa Majesti!', qu'on suppose aider le gouverneur de leurs conseils, de " horde d'euvabisseurs et de destructeurs (de volont^ au moins) de nos droits," et repr^sente deux individus, alors destitues depuis peu de leur rang dans la mi« lice, comme m^ritant I'honneur " de voir leurs noms inscrits sur le catalogue des " victimes de leur d^vouement h la cause sacr^e de la patrie." En conclusion, il accuse le commandant en chef d'un abus criminel et lionteux du patronage de la couronne, en disant que les personnes auxquelles il conferail les honneurs etaient celles *■ qui ne se les font prodiguer, qu'en abjurant leur ibi politique, qu'en so << declarant traitres k la patrie, et en fl^trissant pour toiijours un nom qui ne leur " a 6t6 donn6 que pour yajouter celui de vrai Canadien." La septi^me de ces poursuites est fondee sur un article contenu d'ans le mdme papiernouvelles, la Gazette de Quebec, du 11 Mars 1828, pour lequel M.Neil- son, I'Imprimeur et I'Editeuc de ce papier, a 6t6 mis en accusation dans la m6me Cour du Banc du Roi, tenu a Quebec en Mars 1828, et on en trouvera une copie dans I'extrait No. 6, dans I'Appendice ci-annexe. Dans cette poursuite, le libelie porte le meme caract^re que celui qui est - mentionn^ en dernier lieu. L'exemple qu'avait donne le Comit£ Constitution nel des Trois-Rivi^res, en composant et publiant le libelle dont il a ^t^ rendu compte, ^tait trop ^gr^able aux sentimens des gens turbulenset mal-disposes d'autres endroits, et trop de nature k repondre k leurs vues, pour n'Stre pas sui- vi : on tint done pour la mSme fin d'autres assemblies de corps constitu^s parcil- Icment de leur seule autorite, appel^s *' Comit^s Constitutionnels," et entre autres une assembl*!e des Comit6s Constitutionnels r^unis des Paroisses de St. . Gr^goire, B^cancour, Gentilly et St. Pierre les Becquets, dont les proced^s ont donn6 lieu ^lasepti^me poursuite. A cette asssemblee, on prit aussi les formes d'un corps public l^galement constitu^, de mfimeque dans le cas de son prototype aux Trois-Rivi^res. Dans la I ^re resolution, il futd^clar^, que fassembl^e ^tant . compos^e de la " majority des ofliciers du 3e Bataillon du Comt6 de Buckingham- " shire," prendrait imm^diatement en consideration I'Ordre G^n^ral de Milice dont on se plaignait ; et dans les dix resolutions suivantes, cette assembl^e d'ofii- ciers de milice, r^unis dans ce caract^re, exprime, sous differentes formes de langage, sa disapprobation de la conduite du Commandant en Chef, qu'elle dit Hre injuste et arbitraire. Mais la 6e et la 7e r^solutiqns meritaient surtout I'at- tention. Ilsdedarent par laCe, " Que les personnes qui acceptent des commis- " sions, en remplacement de ceux qui ont €U destitues, sans cause legitime^ " m^ritent I'improbation publique, et ne doivent £tre considdr^s que comme enne- " mis des droits du peuple." Par la 7d, ils d^clarent, " Que les membnes de cette *' assemblde, formant la majorite des officiefs du dit 3e Bataillon du Comte de " Buckinghamshire, m M: J ll- T lll^'l de celte aisemhlieformant la mtijoriti des qfficUrs da dit 3me balaillon du comti de Jiuckinghamshire, tie pourront obeir qu'avec morlificaiion, d la per tonne qui aura ordre de prendre le commandement du dii balaillon. The Constitutional Cominittee of Three-Rivers had passed sentence on the Commander in Chief, in what related to the general order, of M'hich they had taken cognizance. These united Constitutional Committees go a step further; they not only pronounce judgment on the Commnnder in Chief, in re- lation to the general order taken under their special consideration, but, by their 6th Resolution, they denounce public odium against persons accepting commissions in Ihe place of persons removed ; and, by their 7th Resolution, they sufficiently intimate a disposition not to yield in obedience to such persons. Of the dangerous nature of the associations from which these libels proceed- ed, nu person could doubt. They were evidently calculated tn bring the authority of the Government into discredit and contempt, ant/ ^ra(/tiA% /o Jup- plant it. But however criminal may have been the views uf a few individuals by whom this seditious .machinery was put into motion, it is certainly due to the country at large to remark, that it was the work of a few persons only, and that the mass of the inhabitants was in no degree infected with the disloyalty that might be inferred from such proceedings, in other countries. The necessity, nevertheless, of putting a stop to such associations, so pregnant with mischief, was urgent; and this was effectually accomplished, in this instance, by restraining the publication of their proceedings in the newspapers. After the two last prosecutions, of which an account has been given, the agency of Constitutional Committees, in opposing the Government, and in pro- ducin:; disorder, ceased. The eighth of these prosecutions is grounded on the publication of a letter to the Governor in Chief, signed '* Charles Mondelet," inserted in the Quebec Gazette of li^th November, 1827, for which an ijidictmeut was found against " Mr. Charles Mondelet," in the term of the Court of King's Bench, held at Quebec in March 1828, and of which a copy will be found ip the Extract, No. 7, in the annexed Appendix. The example which had been set by Mr. Lee, in obtaining notoriety, by addressing an insulting letter, to the person at the head cf the Government, of which mention has been made, had already been followed in one or two instances, and as yet with impunity, when Mr. Mondelet, it would appear, became ambitious of the same distmction. It was evident, that unless this disposition received some check, no act. of the Government, disagreeable to an individual, could be adopted, without exposing the person at the head of it to be traduced and vilified, in the form of a libellous letter, and without, as a necessary consequence, subjecting the Government itself, to disparagement and contempt. It seemed necessarv, therefore, that this check should be ap- filied, in the case of Mr. Mondelet, who, it was obvious, had taken Mr. Lee's etter for his model, and had improved on it, by rendering his own more offensively libellous. In it Mr. Mondelet, as Mr. Lee had previously done, charges the Commander in Chief of the Militia, in the most disrespectful terms, with enforcing ordinances, as law, which were not law, and with issuing illegal orders of militia. In relation to Mr. Mondelet's removal from a particolar division of the militia, on the eround of non -residence, as compared with the cases of some other officers, he accuses His' Excellency of gross partiallity, and observes, Voire conseiln'a craint ni pour lui mSme ni pour voire Excellence, la reprobalion publique, etle ridicule qu'une semblable conlradiction miriterait ison auteur. In another part of his letter he observes. Si vous m'eussiez taxi, gtfit plaise d voire Excellence,de m'etre refusd a Fexecution de vos ordres genfraux, qui me lemblenl aussi illegaux que sont ilUgales, et non hisy les ordonnances que ton assigne comme 97 ' •• Buckinghamshire, nepourront oWir qu'avcc mortification, ;\ la personne qui *' aura ordrc de prendre, le commandcment du dit Datailion." Le Comit^ Constitutionnel des Trois-Riviiyres nvait pass^ condamnatioii ; centre le Commandant en Chef, en ce qui avait rapport h TOrdrc G^n^-ral, dont il avait pris connaissance. Ccs Cotnites Constitutionnels n'unis font un pas dc phis; non setdement ils prononcent jugement sur Ic Commandant en Cnef, a regard de son Ordrc G^'uC'ral qu'ils prenaient hous leur con8id(^'ration sp(;ciaie, mais, par leur Ge resolution, ils d^noncent :\ la haine publique les pcrsonnes qui accepteront des commissions en remplacement deceux qui auruntetedestitucs ; et par leur 7e ri^solution, ils donnent suiiisamment a entendre qu'ils sont disposes d refuser ob^-issance k de tellcs personnes. Personne nc pouvait douterdchi nature dangereuse des associations dont ccs libclles provenaicnt. Ellcs ^'taicnt ^videmment calcul^es pour faire tombcr I'autorite du Gouvernemcnt dans Ic dis- credit et le m(^pris, " et pour la supplanter par degr6s." Mais quclque criminclles qu^ peuvent avoir H6 les vues de quelques individus qui mircut en mouvemcnt cette machine de sedition, on doit au pays en general de remarquer, que c'^tait I'oeuvre de quelques-unssculement, etque la masse des habitans nYtaitnullemcnt infect^edela d61ovaut£ qu'on pourrait, dans d'autres pays, supposcr d'anrcs ces proc^d^s. Cependant, il £tait de n^cessite urgente de mettre une fin :\ des asso- ciations si dangcreuses ; et c'est ce qui fut efficacement accompli, dans ce cus, en cmpSchantIa publication de leurs precedes dans Icspapiers-nouvellrs. Apres les deux derni^rcs poursuites, dont il vient d'etre rendu compte, ccssa I'op^ration des Comites Constitutionnels, a crder de I'opposition au Gouvernement, et a produire le d^sordre. La huitieme de ccs poursuites est fondee sur la publication d'une lettre au Gouverneuren Chef, signe** Charles Mondelet," ins^r^jedansla Gazette de Que- bec du 12 Novembre 1827. pour laquelle M. Charles Mondelet fut mis en accu- sation dans le terme de la Cour du Banc du Roi, tenu h Quebec en Mars 1828, et dont on trouvera une copie dans I'extrait No. 7, dans I'Appendice ci-annexe. L'exemple qu'avait donn6 M. Lee, pour obtenir-de la c61te fait mention, avait d^jil 6t6 suivi en deux ou trois circonstances, etjusque l^avec impunit^, lorsque M. Mondelet, ^ ce qu'il paraitrait, ambitionna la m^me distinc- tion. II ^tait Evident, qu'a moins de mettre quelque frcio a cette disposition, aucun acte du Gouvernement de nature i\ d^plaire k un iri^ ,.>:Ui, ne pouvait (itre adopts,, sans exposer la personne qui en aurait tenu les rSnes :\ etre traduite et diffam^e devant le public, sous la forme d'une lettre libelleuse, sans soumettre le Gouvernement m^me, comme consequence necessaire, k I'insulte et au m^pris. II parut done nicessaire d'appliquer ce frein dans lecasde M. Mondelet, qui, evidemment, avait pris la lettre de M. Lee pour module, sur laquelle il n'avait fait que renchlrir, en rendaht plus insultant encore le libelle contenu dans la sienne. Danssa lettre, comme M. Lee I'avait fait auparavant, M. Mondelet accuse le Commandant en Chef de la Miiice, dans les termes les plus iriespectueux, de donner force de loi k des ordonnances qui n'^taient pas loi, et d'^maner des ordres de miiice ill^gaux. Quant au sujet du d^placement de M. Mondelet d'une division particuli6re de la miiice, sur le tondement de non-r£sidence, en comparant lecas avec celuide quelques autres officiers, il accuse Son Excellence d'une gros- sidre partiality, etremarque, " Votre Conseil n'a craint ni pour lui-m^me, ni pour «• Votre Excellence la i[6probation publique, et le ridicu le qu'une semblable con< " tradiction m^riterait k son auteur." Dans une autre partie de sa lettre, il re- marque, " Si vous m'eussiez tax6, qu'il plaise k Votre Excellence, de m'^tre " refus^ it l'ex6cution de vos ordres g^n^raux, qui me semblent aussi illegaux que N •• sont ' »ij ■ :-'-:! ■\ 98 ni comms leur basct voua nauriez pas pu, d la vir'tU, en juslice, me tihieUre »ans medonnerroceamn ditre enlendu,mai$ aumoins les formes devotre ordre general n'auraient pas en apparence cliaquer la raison, et cet ordre n*tturait pas ili auni forUment Fo/jeldu tidicult. Anil towards the conclusion of his letter he imputes unheard of tyranny to the commander in chief, in the following terms : " En der. nier anaIyie,,quUl plaise d voire ExceUence,Jeme permeltraidevous dire, en usant du droit d'un stffet ,4nglais, que voire conseil egare grandement voire EjKeUenee, en leportanl dcommettre des actes qui devraienl 7lre inouh sous Pempire Brillmnnique, el donl noire colonieseuleofftedes exemples. The ninth of these prosecutions is grounded on the publication of Mr. Ltte's letter above mentioned, in the Quebec Gazette of 29th October, 18^, for which an indictment was found against Mr. Neilson, the Editor and Priater of that pn r, by the Grand Jury, in the termof the Court of Kings Bench, held a.t Qul ^ in March 18'28. In explanation of this prosecution, it is sufficient to refer to wnat is above stated, in relation to the second of these prosecu- tions. The tenth of these prosecutions is grounded on an article contained in tlie Quebec Gazette, of SUth November 1827, for which an indictment was found agaiust Mr. Neilson, thn Editor and Printer of that paper, tn the term of the Court of Kings Bench, held at (Quebec in March IS'iB. and of which a copy will be found in the Extracts, No. 8, in the annexed Appendix. This libel is an am|ililicatiion of the two libels, which are the stibiectsor the third and fourth prosecutions above-mentioned, the two being blended and amplified in this. Upon this prosecution it is sufHcient, therefore to refer to the explanations above given, in relation to the third and fourth prosecutions. Chi the part of the Crown, all due diligence in bringing these several pro- secutions to trial, has, I beg leave to state, been exerten. The indictments found at Montreal, in Novembir last, were brought by certiorari into the Court of Ku)g's Bench, in the succeeding term of March, and the tridt of them was then moved for, but the defendants represented that they were not ready to proceed to trial, and succeeded in obtaining a postponement of it till tlie next terra, held in September last. On this last occasion, the trials did not take place, on the days fixed for them, in consequence of a difference of opinion in the Members of the Court, respecting the manner of preparing the lists from which the special juries for these trials had been struck : they now stand over, there- fore, to be bad in. the next term, which will be held at Montreal in the month of March, With respect to the indictments found in the Court of King's Bench at Quebec,,in March last, they were found too late in the term to admit of the trials being had in it.. In the last term held at Quebec in September^ the multitude of cases of felonjr before the Court precluded the trial of these misdemeanors, which were therefore permitted on the part of the Crown to stand over, and no application was made for the trial of them, on the part of the Defendants; so that these cases also remain fo: trial in the next term of theCourtof King's Bench, which will be held ^t Quebec in March next. In addition to what has been stated respecting these prosethitions, it would seem not to be foreign to the order of reference, with which your Excellency has honored me,' to notice, briefly, some steps which have been taken by. the persons indicted, or some of them, in conjunction with their friends, to ren- der abortive and defeat them. By the Minutes of the Evidence taken befbre the Committee of the House of Commons,, on the Civil Government of Canada, in the last session of the Im- fierial Parliament, which have'reached this country, it: appears that a set of Reso- utions were produced before the Committee, by Mr. John. Neilson, the .y .; , .■-...- ;■• ,_ ,. - - father ** lont ill^galoRt etnon loi», Ics ordonnanccs que Ion tistigne cemmeleiirbiic, " voiiH n'aiiricz pti pii, k la v^iitt-, en justice, inc dnncttrc laim nic iloiincr Vot- " casion dVtre enteudu, mai« «u nioinn lc« formes de votro OrJro (i('n(!'rHl n'uu- " raicnt pat en appiircnce choqu^ la raison, et crt ordro n'aurait pas t'lo uMssi " fortement I'objct uu ridicule." I't vers la fin desa lettre, il impute unc tyrannic sans example au (■ommandant en Chef, dans le« termex suivans : " En derniC-ri! " analyse, qu'il plaise a Votre Excellrnce, jo mc permcttrai devonsdire, an " us:int du droit d'un siijet anglais, que votre Consoil 6gare grandcmcnt Votrc " Excellence, en loportantik commettre desactes qui devraientitro innu'iH souh " I'empire Uritanniquc, et dont notre Colonic seule oftrc dcs exemplen." La neuvicmc de ces );oursuitcs est fondle sur la publication ilc In Icttrc du M. Lee ci-dcssus nientionn^e, dans la Gazette de Quc^bcc du iZ!) Octobre l8tJ7, pour laquelle M. Neilson, Kditcur et Imprimeurde ce papier, a 6t6 mis en accu- sation par le Grand Juri, dans le tcrmo de la Cour du Banc du Hoi, tenii i Que- bec en Mars 18^28. Pour expliquer cctte poursirite, il sufKt dc renvoyer a cc qui est dit ci-dessus ^ lY-gard de la sccondede cespoursuitcs. Ladixidme de cos poursultes est fondi'e sur un article contenu dans In Guzctto de Quebec, du 39Novembre 18^7, pour laquelle M. Neilson, Editeur et Impri- meur de ce papier, a et6 mis en accusation, dans le termc de la Cour du Dane du Iloi, tenu k Qui bee en Mars 189^, etdont copie setrouvedans Ics Extraits No. H, dansl'Appendice ci- known supporters of the papers which arc the subjects of indictment, and |)rob)ibly of part of the proprietors of them, whose acquiescence Mr. Waller would be likdy to obtain, in any statements ho would submit to them, on the subjects to which the Resolutions relate, and in particular to those delaring these papers to bo void of oHcnce. Tho resolutions themselves contain convincing intrinsic evidence of their being the production of Mr. Waller himself, who has found it convenient to embody his sentiments and defence in these Resolutions. He his evidently not neglected his own defence in them} for, in the 11th Resolution, this unauthorised meeting of individuals is made to contradict the ind ctments fbuiui by the Grand inquest of the district, and to declare tho ])iibliention which the latter, on their oaths, pronounced to be seditious libels, '• to be innocent and praiseworthy," and " entirely free from any thing prejudi- cial to the laws, or to public order " This mode of supeiseding the authority of the li gal tribunals ot'the country, I cannot but take the liberty of remarking, is without precedent, and if successful in this instance, must be destructive of nil legitimate authority. It docs not belong to me, to notice the charges contained in these resolutions against the Govcrner in Chief, Courts, Chief Justice, Sheriffs, Jurors, and other public functinnaiies, all of whom it has entered into the views of the writer of these resolutions to traduce and vilify. But as I am made per- sonally conspicuous in the so charges, and am represented to have acted from improper motives, and to have discliarged my ofhcial duty with undue severity, even oppressively, it seems fit, that in submitting to your Excellency this account of the prosecutions complained of, I siiould exonerate myself from tiiis foul imputation, by stating a few part'culars. It is insinuated, if not asserted, in these resolutioiis, that in the institution of the prosecutions in questions, I have acted •under the influence of personal feelings, from having concurred in advising the militia arrangements complained of. My feelings, as prosecuting officer of the Crown, must be a matter of indifference in relation to the truth or falsehood of criminal charges ; but the insinuation or assertion, such as it is, is entirely untrue, and has been hazarded at random, as the other disgraceful imputations contained in these resolutions have been, merely to bring discredit on individuals and public authorities, and thereby render the Government itself odious. E)(cept in having advised the enforcing of the Militiu Ordinances, as a part of the law of the land, it has not fallen within the scope of my duty to have any thing to do with the militia arrangements of the country. To appointments and dismissals I have been equally a stranger. I am also represented as a violent opponent of .the representative body, .but am at a loss to conceive on what ground; and equally so, tn preceive the bearing of this demerit on the prosecutions complained of. I am likewise charged with having proceeded in a " vexatious and oppressive manner^' against Mr. Charles Mondelet, of the prosecution against whom an account has been given. This charge, depending on matter of f^ct, is easily refuted. It is suid, that Mr. Mondelet ought to have been prosecuted in the district in which he lei M. m 101 solutions donni'einoiir^tre ties RC'ftolutions d'unc " Assembldo dc prnpri^laii-cs rt autres composantlesComit<''S nomint'-s i\ des AMcmblrci g^'iiirulcs des proprictni. res, teniics a la fin dc p^HitionntT Sii MnjostL* et \v% deux (JliiimbrcH du i'urlciiiL-iit, centre I'Admiiiistration nctuclle dii (ioiivcrnemcnt Provincial, ct pour avancrr Ics dites p('-titi()ii8, clicz Louis Hoy I'ortelancc, Kcuycr, dans la Cite dc Montreal, 17 Avril IN^H," dans iesniiellcs resolutions ces poursuitcs sont renduus un snjct de plaintc ct do f^ricf. I'armi les nom» dcs psrsonncs par Icsqiiolleii ces nxolii. tions sontditcs avoir dtv ndoptres, cHt cclui dc M Waller, In perHonne contrc lu> quelle ont(U' portrcs la prcmii-re, Iti sccontle, ct la qnatrii'mc nccusations. (j vent ^tre une chose indiifirente k I'egard de, la verite ou de la t'ausscte d'accnsa> tionscriminellcs ; mais I'insinuation ou I'assertion, quelle qu'ellesoit, est entiiire- ment mal fond([-e, et a et^ faite a raveugle, de mt^me que Ies autres imputations fletrissantescontenupsdanscesr^solutions.simplementpourjeterdu discredit sur Ics individus et Ies autoritt^s publiques, et par h\ rendre le gouvernement odieux. A I'exception d'avoir avis^ la remise en force des Ordonnances de milice, comme fai- sant partie des lois du pays, il n'est tombe dans mes attributions de n'avoir quoique cesoiti\faire k I'egard des arrangemens de la milice du pays. J'ai ^t^ ^-galement Stran- ger aux nominations et aux destitutions. Je suis aussi reprSsente comme m etant vio- lemment oppose au corps representatif, mais je ne puis trouver sur quels fondemens, ni voir non plus ce qu'a ce dem^rite a faire avec ies poursuitcs dont on se plaint, Je suis aussi accuse d'avoir procede dune " maniere vexatoire et oppressive" con> tte M. Charles Mondelet. de la poursuite duquel il a ete rendu compte. Cette accusation dependantdefaits sera facile k repousser. II est dit que M.Mondelet aurait id £tre poursuivi dans le district ou il reside, et oii roflPense avait ete comraise. Si Ies otlenses pour lesquelles il avait ete mis en accusation avaient ete commises dans le district des Trois- Rivieres, cette observation eut ete vraie, et il n'aura^t ( •■ • '4 1 K 102 • I if lie resides, and where his offence was committed. Had the offences, for whicli he has been indicted, been committed in the district of'Thrce-Kivei-s, this obser- vation would have been true, and he could not have been prosecuted elsewhere ; but he was not indicted, not for writing or publishing libels in the district ot' Three- Rivers, in relation to which offences I was possession of no evidence to enable me to prosecute him there, fml lot having published, and caused and pro- cured to be published, certain libels in the district of Quebec, in the courts of which latter district only could these offences be cognizable. This charge, there- ibre, is'utterly groundless, But it is also said, th^t Mr. Mondelet was put to inconvenience in travellmgfrotn Three-Rivers to Quebec tu answer these indict- ments against him, there. This certainly is an unusual complaint on the part of a person accused, particularly before his innocence has been ascertained, by an acquittal. The inconvenience complained of is necessarily experienced by all persons who subject themselves to criminal accusations ; and, in making Mr. Mon- delet amenable to the Court of King's Bench at Quebec, the trouble of travelling hither on his part was unaviodabie. It is also said that Mr. Mondelet, and the witnesses subprenaed from Three Rivers, incurred personal da»;' ., in performing the journey. The route between Quebec and Three Rivers, the great highway of the Province, is known here (though it mny not be known by persons in London, for whose perusal Mr. Waller's resolutions were intended,) to be free from danger to travellers, at all seasons of the year, as much so as a promenade in the street of Quebec and Montreal. If, hy any strange misadventure or accident, these persons should have incurred any risk, it must be considered as one of the casualties to which men in every situation, even in those the mnst secure, are liable, and for which it dues not seem reasonable to make His Majesty's Attorney-General responsible. It is also represented, that I have acted partially in selecting for prosecution the editors of one class of newspapers only. It has been my duty to prosecute those persons by whom libellous attacks have been made v^n the Govern- ment, its courts of justice, and its public functionaries, for the purpose oi bringing them in(o contempt and disgrace, in the minds of the people. If such attacks have been found in one class of papers only, as has been the case, it sufficiently accounts for my having prosecuted the editors and printers of these only. With the per- sonal abuse of contending editors, which it might have been prudent and proper on the part of their respective etnployers to have restrained, but not affecting any department of the Government, I have had nothing to do. The King's courts of justice hive been open to all persons aggrieved by such libels, and it is their own fault if they have not sought redress there, my ministry not being necessary in procuring for them that redress ; but, it is trifling with the understanding oi the persons to whom such a paljiation is offered, to attempt toe.scuse gross libels on the Government and its courts of justice, on the ground that other editors have published libels on some other persons and on some other things. I will only beg leave to add, as a general answer to the unfounded misrepresentations contained in Mr. Waller's resohuions, respecting the conduct of these prosecu- tions, that in laying the indictments in question before the grand juries, by which they have been found, I was and could only be influenced by a sense of duty ; and, in the several stages of these prosecutions, I have, in no respect, deviated from the established course of practice which is observed in ciiminal prosecutions. The grand juries by which the indictments have been found have been composed of persons of the first respectability in the district of Quebec and Montreal, and have been returned in the same manner as other grand juries have been, from the period of the conquest downwards. Till the publication of the libels of Mr. Waller and his associates, juries so returned had discharged their duties, without reproach, and DO person had been ever called in question the purity of the administration of criminal justice. In the desperate position in which Mr. Waller has placed himself, it is not surprising that the criminal judicature of the country, however free 103 pu dtre poursnivi ailleurs ; maia il n'apas rtu mis en accusation pour avoir 6crit oil publi6 des libclles dans le district des Trois-Rivirres, i\ I'rgard desquelles of- ienses je n'etaisen possession d'aucunepreuvequi me mit en etat de le|)oiir9uivrc li^, mtiis pour avoir publii- et fait publier certains libelies dans le district dc Quebec, dont les Cours pouvaient seules connaitre de ces offenses. Cette nccu* sation est done aans uucun fondeinent. Mais on Hit aussique M. IV^ondeict fut expose k bcaucoup d'inconvcniens en voyageant des Trois-llivitires <\ Quebec, pour y repondre aux accusations port^ea contre lui. Certes, voil^ une Strange plainte de la part d'un accus^, surtout avant que son innocence ait et^ etabii par une decharge. Les inconv^;niensdont on se pinint, tous ceux qui s'exposent k des ac- cusations criminelles les eprouvent n^cessaireinent ; et M. Mondeiet ^tant justi- ciable de h Cour du Banc du Roi a Quebec, le trouble de s'y rendre ^-tait pour iui in^'vitable. On dit aussi <)ue M. Mondeiet et les t^moins somm^s de descendre des Trois- Rivieres, furent exposes au pdril pendant leiir voyage. La route entre Quebec eties Trois-RiviSres, le grand chemin public dc la province est connu ici (quoique les gens de Londres peuvent hien I'ignorer, et cV'tait pour eux que M. Waller destinait ses resolutions,) pour ^ti-e exempte de danger pour les voyageurs, dans toutes l«s sai'sons de I'annee, et tout autant qu'unc promenade dans les rues de Quebec et de Montreal. Si, par quelq.ue aventure etrange ou accident, ccs gens ont couru quetque danger, i) faut le regarder eomme un de ces cas partiels auxquels les hommes sont exposes dans toutes le^ situatiom, meme dans les plus stores, etdont il ne paralt pas rataonnable de rendre le Procureur-Gen^ral de Sa Majeste respoiisable. On dit aussi que j'ai agi avec partialite «n choisissant pour les pcursiiites les Editeurs d'une classe de Journaux seulement. Mon devoir ^tait de poursuivre les personne» qui faisaient des attaques libetleuses contre legou- vernement, ses Cours de Justice et ses fonctionnaires publics pour leur attirer Is mfpris et fe disgrace du peuple. Si de telles attaques ne sont trouv(Ses que dans une classe dejournaux, comme c'a tt6 le cas, cela est une raison sutlisaHte pour quoi je n'ai poursuivi que les Editeurset Imprimeurs dt ces papiers. Je n'aieu aiFaire en rien avec les injures personnelles que les Editeurs se sont ^cliang^^es dans leurs disputes, et que ceux qui les employaient auraient bieu et pruderti- memt fait de restreindre, mais qu"il i^'appartient ;t aucun d^-partement du Gvuver- nement. Les cours dc justice du Roi ont et^ ouvertes a toutes les personnes li-- z(^es par de telles libclles et c'est leur faute si elles n'y ont pas porte leurs plaintes, mon minist^re n'^tan't pas du tout n^cessaire pourleUr procurer ce redresseiitent. mais c'est sejouerdel'intelligcnce de ceux a qui une telle palliation est adres^e, que d'essayer de justiiier des libelles grossiers contre le gouvernement et ses cours de justice, par la raison que d'autresEditeursont publie des libelles contre quelques autres personnes et sur quelques autreschoses. Je demanderai seulement i\ ajou- ter, pour r^ponse generate aux fausses allegations contenues dans les resolutions de M. Waller touchantia conduite de ces poursuites, qu'en mcttantles actes d'ac- cusation en question devant les Grands Juris, qui les ont apjironves, je ne fus et ne pouvais^tremuque par un sentiment de devoir ; el dans le cours des proctjdu- res diverses qui onteu lieu, je n'ai d^vid, en aucun point, de la pi-alique suivie dans les poursuites criminelles. LesGrands Jurisqui ont appiouve les actes d'accusa- tion, sesont trouv(!'S composes de personnes de la plus liautc respectability dans lun et I'autre des districts de Quebec et de Montreal, et ils ont dtc rapport^s de la m£me mani^re que les autres Grands Juris I'ont (t6 depuis- I'^poque de la conquf:te. Jusqu'a la publication des libelles par M. Waller et ses associ^s les Juris rapportes de cette maniiTe avaient rempli leurs devoirs sans reproche, et personne n'avait jamais mis en question la purete de 1' Administration de la Justice. Dans la position d^sesperee dans jaquelle M. Waller s'est placd, jl n'est pas surprenant que la judicature criminelle du pays, queique exempte de reproche qu'elle e^t ete jusqu'il ce qu'elle soit venue en but a sa malignite, ne lui ait pas ^'t6 agr^able : il n'est pas raisonnable h la vdrite qu'il flit satisfuit d'une autre judicature^ de son choix, ou i\ moins qu'il n'y en cut 104 free from reproach, till reached by his malignity, should not be acceptible to him : it is indeed not likely that he should be satisHed, otherwise, than with a judicature (if his own choice, or with no judicature at all ; and of these alternatives the last would probably be most agreeable. I cannot conclude this report to your Excellency without /"espectfully depre- cating the dangerous consequences to be apprehended to His Majesty's Govern- ment, and the peace and tranquillity of the province, from the course which has been pursued by Mr. Waller and his associates, if it should be permitted to be successful. This course may be characterized in a few words. The Governor of the Province, the courts of justice, juries, and other principal functioiiari^s of His Majesty's Government, have been grossly calumniated, traduced and vilified. Of these grave offences the authors of them have been accused in legal form by the Grand Inquests of the Country. Instead of meeting the charges against them in the course prescribed by law, the principal delinquent, for the purpose of counteracting the legal proceedings had against him and his associates, and ill contempt for the authority of the Court in which the accusations are pend- ing, calls a meeting of his friends and partizans, who pronounce him and his co- delinquents innocent of the charges agamst them. Under colour of this meeting, he frames Resolutions, containing a specious misrepresentation of the facts ou which the indictments have been found, and proclaims the falsehood of the charges contained in them. In the same resolutions, the principal party accused renews the calumnies he had previously published against. the Government and' the administration of justice ; and, on the ground, that these calumnies are true, presumes to decline the jurisdiction of the Courts before which he and his associates stand indicted, as being corjupt and unfit to try them. Whether the execution of the luws can be thus eluded, or frustrated, is an important question to which the attention of His Majesty's Government is necessarily called by the foregoing statement. I shall not be thought, I hope, to take an improper liberty, it I pre- sume to express my humble conviction, that if inipunity can be obtained by so unprecedented a course of proceeding, the consequences thence resulting must be a general contempt of the legal tribunals of the country, and an utter inability on the part of His Majesty's Colonial Government to assert its authority, and main- tain peace and good order. „,^ ; -v<:! All which is, nevertheless, most respectfully submitted to your Excellency's wisdom, by your Excellency's ... Most obedient humble servant, (Signed) Quebec, 20th October, 182S. J. STUART, , AUy. Genl. lu--- 'f r, i 105 eut aucunc ; c: v. ces alternatives la derni^rc serait probablement cellc qui 'ui plairaitdavantage. Je ne puis terminer ce rapport a votre Excellence sans deplorer respectueuse- ment les consequences dangereuses qu'll y aurait -h craindre pour le Gouverne- ment de Sa Majesty, et pour lapaix et la tranquillity dela province, de lamarche qu'a suivie M. Waller et ses associ^s, si Ton permettait qu'elle r6ussit. Cettc marche peut (tre caract^ris6e en peu de mots. Le Gouverneur de la Province, les Cours de Justice, les Juris et autres principaux fonctionruiires du Gouverne- inent deSa Majesty ont ^t^ grossi^rement calomni^s, et diffames. Lesauteurs de graves offenses ont ete r^guii^rement mis en accusation par les grandes En- qu^tes du pays. Au lieu de remontrer cesaccasations de la maniere prescritejiar la loi, le principal ddinquant, dans la vue de contrecarrer les procM^s iegaux in- tentds contre lui et ses associds et au m^pris de I'autorit^ de la Cour dans laquelle ces accusations cont pendantes, convoque une assembl^e de ses amis et partisans, qui le di!'elarent lui et ses co-delinquans innocens des accusations port^es contre eux. Sous les apparences de cette assemblee, il r6dige des resolutions, contenant un expose faux et specieux des faits sur lesqueTs les actes d'accusation sont fondes, et proclame la faussete des accusations qui y sont contenues. Dans les memes reso- lutions laprincipale partieaccusde repute lescaloinnies qu'elle avait auparavantpu- bliees contre le Gouvernement et I'administration de la justice ; et, sur la supposi- tion que ces calomnies sont vraies, il ose dediner la jurisdiction des Cours devant lesquelles lui et ses associ^s sont accuses, sur ce qu'eUes sont corrompues et im- propres h leur faire subir leurs proems. Qu'on puisse ainsi eiuder ou frustrer I'exe- cution des Lois, c'est une question importante k laquelle I'expose ci-dessus ap- pelle necessairement I'attention du Gouvernement de Sa Majeste. Je me flatte qu'on ne regardera pas comme une liberty trop grande de ma part, si j'ose exprimer mon humble conviction, que si Ton peut arriver a l'impunit6 par une maniere de proc6der aussi inouie, les consequences qui en resultcront devront £tre un mdpris general des tribunauxjudiciaires du pays, et une incapacite entidre dela part du Gouvernement Colonial de Sa Majeste de faire valoirson autoritd, et de maintenir la paix et le bon ordre. Le tout neanmoins humblement soumis h la sagesse de son Excellence par Le tr^s-humble et tr^s-obdissant serviteur de votre Excellence, Quebec, 20 Octobre 1828. (Signe.) J. STUART, Proc-G^nl. h:m 106 APPENDIX To the Report of the Attorney General of Lower Canada^ dated 20th October 1828 ; No. 1. Extracts from the Canadian Spectator of the 7th November, 1827i containing the libellous matter, for which an Indictment was found by the Grand Jury, against the Editor and Printer of that Paper, in a Court of Oyei- and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, held at Montreal, in November, 1827. " The OfHciul Gazette talks of the Speaker being the organ of • concilia- tion' — With whom? A'b/ between two parties in the Commons over which he presided. There unanimity prevailed— for two or three voices from the Officers of the Government did not disturb the unanimity in the Commons. Is it con- ciliation with His Excellency? • ^^ hat conciliation could be hoped for, with ' an Administration which for seven years had been violating the Laws, violating * the Constitutional rights of the country — which had transacted with Ministers * in England to declare against us — which had vowed interminable war with our ' rights — which had dishonored and defamed the Lieutenant Governor, who had ' won the afi'ectioas of the country, had treated it kindly and established harmo- * ny -which had refused communications of necessary documents on important ' subjects, which had defamed, insulted and injured the Representative body — V which had sanctioned, in its official papers, the fillhiest abuse against all indi- ' viduals prized by their countrymen for their abilities, activity and patriotism ? * What hope of conciliation remains with such an Administration which avows ' that it will not change, revives Military Ordinances against the plainest rules * of legal construction, and employs the power with which it invests itself to pu- * nish British Subjects for the exercise of civil rights, coercing the free expression * of political opinion— which travels about thanking any half dozen of remote, ' ignorant, fawning or designing individuals for Addresses, which load it with ' flattery and utter abusive calumnies against the Representative body, chosen * by the landholders and freeholders of the Province? Conciliation is impractica- ' bie with such an Administration. Conciliation with the Clerkarchy would be ' submission on the part of the House, to the loss of its essential rights, to insult and « to dishonor.' " " The country is threatened by the Official Gazette, that if Mr. Papineau is chosen Speaker, the Governor placing himself in opposition to the voice of the whole country, will refuse his consent and dissolve the House. We hope the House will choose Mr. Papineau, and shew reasons for choosing him, and persist in the choice. That the Governor and his Council will refuse their ratification we think probable enough ; how far that will be valued we cannot say ; and we think it is probable they will dissolve the House, to the great injury of the coun- try. Another subject of discord and discontent will thus be raised by the pre- sent Administration, and the passions of the Executive and of the place holders will commence another war against the whole country. • There can be little * doubt that such an Administration will be considered as a nuisance by the Bri- < tish Government, and that its own follies and misconduct will, if the country co- ' operate with firm and decisive measures, speedily e.\ting^ish it.' " - . . - No. 2. r: 107 APPENDICE Au Rapport du Procureur- General du Bas- Canada, en dale du 20 Octohre 18si«. No. 1. ExTRAiT du Canadian Spectator du 7 Novembre 1827, contenant lamaticra libellense, pour laquelle le Grand Juri a mis en accusation I'Editcur et I'lmpri- nieur de ce papier, dans une Cour d'Oyer et Terminer et dc dtlivrance G<;ncrale des Prisons, tenue \ Montr(:ai, en Novembre, 1827 : — " La Gazette Officielle parle de I'Orateur comma ^tant I'organe de la "con- ciliation." — Avec qui ? A'o« entrc deux partis dans les communes auxquelles il preside. \A r^gne l'unanimit sion, is accountable for his actions to God and his own conscience only, or that he he can with impunity in any case whatever, act arbitrarily,despotically or tyranically, in violation of the liberty or property of His Majestjr's brave and loval Candian Sub- jects, is a montrous doctrine which cannot be admitted without the greatest dan- ger ; because a Governor' cannot, under cloak of Law, or even under the strictest forms of Law, exercise cruelty, malice or oppression towards any of His Majesty's Subjects, without being personally responsible for it ; • because you have lent * yourself unjustly, My Lord, to wicked, false and defamatory insinuations ' against me; finally, because the letter which you have published. My Lord, ' at the head of the General Order of Militia, which annuls my Commission, of * Captain, contains absurdities, falsehoods, and is incorrect.' " " THOMAS LEE, £x-Captain of the first Battalion of Militia of the County of Quebec, and Notary." Quebec, 20th October, 1827. Court m 1 109 No. s. ExTHAiT du Canadian Spectatoii du .3 Novembre 1827, contenant la mntierc libelleuse pour laquellele Grand Juri a mis en accusation I'Editeur et I'lmpri- ineurdece papier, dans une Cour d'Oyer et Terminer et do delivrance genu- rale des Prisons, tenue .\ Montreal en Novembre 1827 :— MILICE. Nos lecteurs trouveront la pi^ce qui suit tr<^s-int6ressante. M. Lee s'exprimc comme un sujetbritannique. •' Les doctrines propagcies par I'Executif Provincial ••etdesa part devraient faire bouillir d'indignation le sangdetous les vraissujef . " britanniques. Le Gouverneur sans responsabilite ! Le Gouverneur pouvar.t par " sa Proclamation on Ordre Gi-n^val, faire des Lois et des Lois INlilitaires !'" Etles sujets britannitjiies dift'amds, " parce qu'ils refuseront d'ob^ir ;\ des Ordrjs qui ne '• sont pas Loi 1" Mais la Province encore et bient6t aura justice. " A Son Excellence le Comte de Dalhousie, Gouverneur-en-Chef de la Pro- vince du Bas-Canada, &c., &c., &c. Mylori), " Puisque vous vous files servi des papiers publics, et de votre prerogative, fiour meperdre dans I'opinion demes concitoyens, sans ni'avoir donn6 1'occasion ^gale et usit^e d'etre entendu, je prends la liberty d'employer, tres-respectueuse- ment, lamSmevoiepouryr^pondre. " Je proteste done contre I'Ordre General de Milice du 25 Octobre, pr^« sent moi's, qui annulle m:^ Commission de Capitaine au ler Batailion de la Milice de Quebec, dont M. Joseph Fran9ois Perrault est le Lieutcnant*Colonel Com- mandant, parce que je me suis honnctement et l^gitimement refuse aobt'ir aux ordres ill^gaux du Lieutenant-Colonel Perrault ; • parce que votre Ordre General ' de Milice, Mylord, comme Gouverneur en Chef, est illegal ;* — Parce que I'i- d^e, adroitement repandue et propagce dans la soci^te, qu'un Gouverneur, en vertu de sa Commission, ne serait comptable qu'i\ Dieu et sa propre conscience, de toutes ses actions, ou qu'il pourrait impunement, en quelque cas que ce fut, Hgir arbitrairement, despotiquement et tyranniquement, envers la liberty ou la propri^t^ des braves et loyaux sujets Canadiens de Sa Majest^, est une doctrine monstrueuse et qui ne pent ^tre admise sans le plus grand danger ; parce qu'un Gouverneur ne peut, sous le manteau de la loi, ni meme sous les formes les plus strictes de la loi, exercer de la cruaut6, de la malice, ou de I'oppression envers aucnn des sujets de Sa Majesty, sans en £tre personnellement responsable ; — * parce que vous vous £tes, Mylord, pr£t6 injustementa des insinuations mechantes, ' fausses, et injurieuses ii mon ^gard ; enfin, parce que la lettre que vous avez ' faitpublier, Mylord, en tfite de cet Ordre G6n^ral de Milice qui annulle ma ' Commission de Capitaine, contient des absurditcs, des fausset^, et est incor- ' recte.' , ;■ v ' ;'^ "THOMAS LEE,. .. £x-Capitaine au ler Batailion de Milice du Comt^ de Quebec, et Notaire. Quebec, 20 Octobre 1827." :[;, no (:>. No. 3. KxTHACTS from the Spectateuii Caxauien of tiic i'kliNovr. 1827, contain- ing the liljL'lloiis inattur lor which an indictment was found by the Grand Jury, nguinst the Printer of that paper, in a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, licid at Montreal, in Novr. 1827. Court of Ovr.u and Teuminer — On Monday last, the Grand Jury found n True Bill against Mr. Stanley Bagg, for a nuisance, and against Mr. Jacques Vigor, for neglecting to fulfil the duties of his office of Surveyor of High- ways, &c. Wg now publish respecting this interesting case the facts which have come to our knowledge. Some months since Mr. Stanley Bagg caused to be erected on a piece of ground within an inclosurc, a small wooden buildinsi', which has since been inhabited. In consequence of a complaint made to the Magistrates, the majority of them present, after a long contestation, ordered the demolition of the building, and that it should betaken down by Mr. Vigcr, at the expense of Mr. Bagg, if he should not comply with their judgment, within a certain delay. Jlr. Bagg, considering himself injured by this decision, made an application to some Magistrates, who being of opinion that he had cause of complaint, granted to him the Writ i)( Stipcrsedeas, of which an ac- count has already been given in the Journals. Notwithstanding,', Mr. Viger in order to yield obedience to his orders, was about proceeding to execute the judgment, when the Supersedeas caused Iiim to suspend his labours, and he presented a Report in form to the Magistrates. The Body of ^Magistrates iissembied, the object being to declare this order null ; finally, they became sensible that the Superior Civil Tribunal is alone competent to the decision of this dispute, and the meeting broke up. At this stage of the proceedin;,'S, the IMagistrates who considered themselves ag{.Trieved by this Supersedeas, transmit to the Governor a complaint against their Brethren of the Miigistracy. We are ignorant of the answer which His Excellency may have given. But now the aflair becomes seriou?, and the Court of Oyer and Terminer holds cog- nizance of it. What may be the result we cannot say. " It appears very extra- " ordinary that, in this manner, civil affairs an-l those of a different description •' should indiscriminately he carried before a Criminal Court. JJy this pro- " ceeding the ideas which we had formed of Law and Justice are forgotten and " despised. The country presents an alarmin:^ aspect, the Citizens haverea- •• so;i to tremble, the Magistrates who are offended by this Supersedeas are Mem- •' bers of the Grand Jury, and the President of the Police, who hasdirectetl "all these proceedings, sits as a Member of this Court. Our circumstancs •• diminishes a little our alarm, and that is, that the Grand Jury will not have to •' decide finally on this prosecution." We don't mean to undertake Mr. Bagg's defence, if he has infringed the law, or if he has encroached on land not be- longing to him, his pretensions ought to be overruled. '• But we consider the '* prosecution m the Criminal Term to be an insult, and an outrage upon the " laws, inasmuch as there was another Tribunal more competent to decide on " it, and v/hich ought to have cognizance of it." We cannot conclude, without expressing our wish that the Legislature may speedily take into consideration the changes which the organization of our Criminal Courts imperiously requires. '• The public funds of this Province ought " to be employed on objects of necessity, and not in prosecutions which are ruin- " us to the country, oppressive to the citizens, and in direct opposition to the pur- " poses of the law. The object which those by whom these two prosecutions have "been got up have in view is too evident to make it necessary that we should " enlarge further on the subject, we should be apprehensivt of offering an insult " to the good sense of our readers, if we were to go into details." No. 4 Ill I No. 3. ExTHAiT r^-sent<^, en differens temps, trois aclcs d'accusation pour lu *' m^me offense." Cepcndant, nous nous consolons dans I'espoir que ce qui s'est passe dans cette Cour ne f'cra pas autoritu pour I'avenir, ct qu'un Juri compose d'hommes ind^pcndans " ne se rendra pas ies instrumens d'autrui, comme celui " de la derni^re Cour dOyer et Terminer.'* Lo President, M. Henry lUcKenzie, avait pris une part trl-s-active en fuveur de I'administration, dans lu derniere (jlec- tion. II a pouss6 I'imprudence (pour no pas lui donner un autre nom,) jusqu'u requ^rir I'intervention du militaire k I'clection du Quortier Quest ; il se trouva au milieu d'une mt-lce ok il prit une part rien moina que convenable pour un Ji^e de Paix ; il avait os6 avancer pubUquement que le Gouverneur de ce pays £tait hors de I'atteinte des lots. Ce M. McKenzia est un commis au service' de M. Molson, et n'a d'autre prepri^t^ que son salaire. Pourrait-op attendre beaucoup d'inddpendance et d'impurtialite d'un homme pareilleraent situ^, qui avait en aualite de President du Juri, a iuger des gens qui avaient pris une chaude part ans Ies Sections du c6t^ oppos^ a ses opinions. Esperer de la justice dans un pa- reil casserait faire preuve de peu de connaissanee du coeur humain aurtout quand on salt que le m£nie M. MoKenzie, au lieu dese retirer du Juri, lorsque celui-ci s'occupait des affaires de I'clection du Quartier-Uuest, conduisit luim{!me la mesure, en rapportant des faita, cherchant des t^moins et donnant son opinion. " En disant que le public a grandMoent lieu de se plaindre k I'^ard de la " composition et des precedes du Grand-juri en question, nous devons dire en <' justice, qu'il taut faire une exception de cinq ou six de ce Juri ; leur caractere *' public et priv^', et la mani^re ind^pendante avec laquelle iis se sont opposes, « quoique sans suco^s, tk tous ces pnooedes, font une exception honorable en leur « faveur, et m'oblige de Ies diatinguer du reste, dont plusicurs auraient d^ Ctre " exclus faute de qualification sous le rapport de la propriety et pour d'autres « circonstances." No. 5. ExTRAtT de la ** Gazette de Quebec" du38 f^vrier 1828, contenant la mati^re libelleuse pour laquelle le Grand-juri a mis I'Editeur et I'lmprimeur de ce pwier en accusation, dans la Cour du Banc du Roi, tenue a Qufbec, en Mars 18S8: A une Assembl^e du Comit6 Constitutiontiel du District des Trois-Ri- vi^res. P Stance Ml liSfl UlllC 114* (Extraordinary Sitting in the House of K6n6 Kimber, Ksquin. .) Monday, the S^th February, 1 8'J8. Prcnent :— Mr. ^M Kimber in the Chair, Pierre D<^^fo»8''s, Jean Doiicet. Ktionne Tunin, Jos. Dubord Lafontuinc, Jean D^fossds, Louis U. 'i'aibut. W Vondcnvclden, Joseph Courvnl, Etienne Leblanc, Pierre Blondin, L. Oiivic Coulombc, Laurent Craig, Charles Mondelct, Ant. Z. Leblanc and Antuiii Cazeau. Head the General Order of the 21 8l instant. Resolved, 1. That the loyalty, integrity, firmness and independence which hnve nt all times characterized the actions, public and private of Fran9ois Lcgcndru and Antoine Poulin De Courval, Esquires, Vice Presidents of this Committee, ami especially the conduct which they have displayed in the crisis which hus mnd. it necessary ior the inhabitants of this country to prefer accusations afinl'i i the Earl of Oalhousie, entitle them totheconiiaence and respect of thrirfullo>v citizens. Resolved, 2. That this Committee has learnt that by the General Order of Militia, of the 21st instant, His Excellency George Earl of Dalhounu, has bro- ken and removed these two gentlemen from their rank of Lieutenant Colonels in the Militia, on an allegation ** that they have shewn themselves the active agents of a party hostile to His Majesty's Government.'* Resohea, 3. That in the opinion of this Committee, this allegation on the part of His Excellency is entirely unfounded. Resolved, 4. That in consequence, this Committee considers itself authoriz- ed to declare that these dismissals en n never affect the respectability of the per- sons who have been the objects or* Jiem. Resolved, 5. That the following Address to Messrs. Fran9nis Lcgendrc and Antoine Poulin de Courvul be adopted by this Committee, and that a Spe- cial Committee composed of four Memoers, to wit, Messrs. Jean Doucet, Joseph Dubord Lafontaine, Etienne Leblanc and Jean Defoss^s do take the necessary steps for conveying it to Messrs. Legendre and Courval. (True Extract.) CHARLES MONDELET, > ANT. Z. LEBLANC, | Secretaries. Tuesday the 26/A.— 'The four Gentlemen chosen by the Committee to con vey the Address of the Committee to Messrs. LegcHuK u"d De Conrvai, having learnt that Mr. Legendre was in Town, waited 0(\ li'r' i; the Hoi' which he lodged, and presented him the following, Adii cm uiopted by iliu Committee : To Francois Legendre and Antoine Poulin De Courval,^ Esquires. v;''». Members of the Constitutional Committee of the District of Three River-«i":-'e thought it our duty to exprsss to you how sensibly we feel the injuslic, •:hiih [.^s bee ^ done to you oy His Excellency George Earl of Dal- houi. J,, in Jepriving yen of your Commissions of Lieutenant Colonels. We hone that 'tis arbitral y measure virill be put aside by His Majesty's paternal Gc'v wrnmeut, and at the same time we take the liberty to inform you that our esteem Ilii ii 115 (Sianco uMiaordinttre >« m«i«un !> lUne Kimber, £00)^01-.) Ltsui, 03 Ftvrier 18«8. IVoseni:— MM. Pxnc Klmberiib Chalfe, Pierre D^foWs. Jean Doiicft, Ktiiiinc 'lupin, JoBcph Dubonl Lafontame, Jean Uilws^s, Louis R. /"ilhot, \V. Voiiilenvclden, Jo»eph Courval, l.icnne Lcblanc, Pierre fliMndin, L. (.»)ivier ( oiilunibe, Laurent Craig, Charles Mondclet, Awt 7,. Leblanc, ct Antoine Caztiuu, Lu I'Ordre G6n^Tal de Milice du 21 du courunt. liisolu, 1. Que la loyaute, I'int^-grit^, U fermot^ ct )'ind«^|>ei»dance qui ont d.' tout temps caract£ris6 toutcs les actions publiqucs ct privies de Francois Le- gcndre ct Antoine Poulin de Courval, Ecuyers, Vice-Presidens dc ce Comite, ct spucittlement la conduite qu'ils ont d(iploy([o dans la crisc qui a ri<>cessitc de In part des habitans de ce pays, des accusations contre le Comte Dathousie, leur mdrite()t la confiance et le respect de leurs concitoyens. RisoUi, i. Que ce Comit^ a appris, que par I'Ordre G^n^'ral iXt Milice du 21 du cuurant, que Son Excellence George Comte de Dalh-tisie, a cass^ et d^mis de leurs rangs de Lieutenant-Colonel dans la Milice, ces deux Messieurs, en all^guant " qu ils se sont montr^s les agens actifs d'un part> hostile au Gou« " vernement de Sa Majesty." Risohtt S. Que dans I'opinion de ce Comitd- cet all6gu£ de . 1 part dc Sou Excellence est cnti^rement mat fond^. Risolu, 4. Qu'eu consf^quence, ce Comite sc croit autorise . declarer que ces demissions ne poiirront jamais porter atteinte h. la respectabifiti: de ceux qu'elles ont pour objets. Ritolut 5. Quel'Adresse suivante ik MM. Francois Legendre et Antoine Poulin de Courval, soit adoptee par ce Comity, et qu'un Comit6 Sp6ciale compose de quatre Membres, savoir : MM. Jean Doucet, Joseph Dubord Tafontaine, Etienne Leblanc et Jean Defoss^s, prennent les moyens de la fairc parvenir k MM. Legendre et De Courval. (Vrai extrait.) CHARLES MONDELET,} b^„ , .„ ANT. Z. LEBLANC. / becrttaire.. Mardi, k 26. — Les quatre Messieurs choisis par le Comitd pour faire parvenir I'Adresse du Comite i\ MM. Legendre et De Courval, apprenant que M. Legendre ^tait en ville, se rendirent k I'Hdtel oix il logeait, et lui pr^sen* t^rent I'Adresse suivante adoptee par le Comit^. A Fran90t8 Legendre et Antoine Poulin de Courval, Ecuyers. Nous, Membres du Comit6 Constitutionnel du District desTrois-Riviferes, avons cru devoir vous t^moigner combien nous sommes sensibles h. I'injustice a vous faite par Son Excellence George Comte de Dalhousie, en vous destituant de vos CummissioHH de Lieutenant-Colonels. Nous esp^rons que ce proc^d^ «rbitraire sera repousse par le Gouvernement paternel de ba Majestei et en meme- . . tenlps 116 t i. esteem for you has been increased in proportion to the rank of which you have ■been both deprived. This Committee sees in you two courageous patriots, who have acquired the more claims to public respect, since the Administratiunhosendeavourcd to ren- der you contemptible. Three-Rjvers, 25th February, 1828. Before the adoption of the Resolutions Mr. Charles Mondelct addressed a few words (o the Meeting, nearly as follows : — Gentlemc:), At a time when tlic public mind was about resuming that tran- quillity which distinguishes Canadians, a fresh Act of our Colonizil Administration bae occurred to prevent it. The Official Gazette of the 21st instant informs us, that among others Fran9ois Legendre and Antoine PouUn De Courval, Es- quires, our two Vice-Precidents, have been deprived by the Efirl of Dalhbusre of their Commissions as Lieutenant Colonels, and the reason assigned by His Excellency for this measure is certainly most singular. These gentlemen, would you believe it, these men who have always been eminently distinguished for tried loyalty, the most elevated courage, and the most inviolable attachment to •their country, are accused by His Excellency the Governor in Chief, of •' having shewn " themselves active agents of a party hostile to His Majeslys Government !'' What accusations, gentlemen, against such men ! lu themselves these accusa- tions would not merit a refutation, for who is there among you that is not aware, that they are absolutely without foundation ? IJut they are made by an elevated authority which conceives it sufficient to be exalted in rank, to attack with im- punity citizens who are respectable and without reproach. " These absurd and " tyrannical notions unfortunately are entertained by other persons besides the " Earl of Dalhousie ;' they are entertained by other men interested in propagat- ing and inculcating them in the society, as being just and sensible I It is then, important, gentlemen, that His Excellency should know that if his rank be ele- vated he derives from it no right to level against our citizens, accusations so de- famatory, and which would be sensibly felt, if they did not proceed from a quarter which abounds with materials of this description. You all recollect the Public Meeting of this District of the 22d December last. You recollect that Mr. Kimber presided at it, and that Messrs. Legendre and Courval were Vice-Presidenfis. You all know that these gentlemen evinced lor the country the same zeal for which so many other patriots have been distin- .cuished. They supported with firmness the Resolutions and Petition which in a few weeks will be submitted to the King and to the Imperial Parliament, and which contain charges against tlhe Earl of Dalhousie, of which the whole country has loudly proclaimed the truth ! They have, in a word, shewn themselves pub- licly the defenders of their country, the friends of their fellow citizens, true Ca- nadians! " What titles, then, have they not acquired to the hatred and malevo- '* lence of an Administration surrounded by persons who labor to deceive it, and " who shamefully sacrifice their honor and then* rights to encourage an oppression " of which no example has ever been afforded in English Colonies ! If Messrs. " Legendre and Courval had enlisted themselves under the banners of this ♦' horde of invaders and destroyers (at least in inclination,) of our rights, they " would now have been hold forth as faithful subjects !" It is then an honor, a glory for these brave citiaens to see their names inscribed on the interminable catalogue of victims of their devotion to the sacred cause of their country. But if we share in these sentnnents let us hasten to make them known to these gen- tlemen le 117 temps nous prenons la liberte de vous assurer que notre esUme s'est accrue envers vous, a proportioa du rang dont vous avez ^te destitue Lous deux. Ce Comite voit en vous deux patriotes couragcux, qui acaui^rent d'atitant plus de droits au respect public, que Tad ministration s'eiTorce de les rcndre me- prisables. Trois-Riviiires, 25 Fevrier 1828. Avant I'adoption des Resolutions, M. Charles Mondelet adressa quelques mots h. I'Assemblce, i\-peu-pri:s comme suit : — Messieurs, Dans un temps ou les esprits allaient reprendre cette tranquillity qui dis- tingue les Canadiens, un nouvel acte de notre administration coloni.ilc cstvenu y raettre une entrave. La Gazette Officielle do Quebec du Ql du courant, nous annoncequ'entre autres, Fran9oi8 Legendreet AntoinePoulin de Courval, ecuyera, nos deux Vice-Presidents, ont ^-te dcmis par le Comte Dalliousie, de leurs com- missions de Lieutenant-Colonels, et la raison que Son Excellence allegue comme base de cette demission est assurcment des plus ^-tranges, Ces Messieurs, le croiriez-vous Ces horamcs que la loyautu la plus eprouvee, le courage le plus eleve, et I'attachement le plus inviolable i leur patrie, ont toujours si (;mincm- ment distingu^s, sont accuses par Son Excellence le Gouverneur-en-Chef " de " s'etre montres les agens actifs d'un parti hostile au Gouvernement de Ha Ma- " jest6 !" Quelles accusations. Messieurs, contre tels hommes ! Elles ne m6- riteraienten elles-memes aucune r(^'futation, car qui est celui d'entre vous qui ne salt pas qu'elles sont absolument sans iondement? Mais elles sont port(>es par une autorite elevee qui croit qu'il suffit d'etre exalte en rang, pour attaquer im- punement des citoyens respectables et sans reproches. " Ces notions absurdes " et tyranniques sont malheureusement partagees par d'autres que par le Comte " Diilhousie ;" elles le sont par d'autres hommes impresses h les propager et les pr6ner dans la soci^t#, comme justes et sens<;es ! II est done important, Messieurs, que Son Excellence sache que si son rang est 6ievc, du moins il ne lui donnc pas le droit de lancer contre nos citoyens des accusations aussi injurieuses, et qui seraient sensibles, si elles ne partaient pas dun quartier qui regorge de ces sortcs de matcriaux officiels. dernier gendre deux Messieurs ont montrd', pour la cause du pays, ce zt-le qui a distingu^ tant d'autres patriotes. lis ont soutenu avec fermete les resolutions et la requete qui sous pcu de semaines seront soumises au Uoi et au Parlement Imperial, et qui comportent contre le Comte Dalhousie desplaintes dontle pays entier a proclam6 i\ haute voix ia v6rite ! lis se sont en un mot, montres publiquement les def'en- seurs de leurs patrie, les amis de leur concitoyens, de vrais Canadiens ! " Quels " titres n'ont-ils done pas i\ la haine et i\ la malveiilance d'unc administration " entour^e de gens qui s'<5vertuent ;\ la trompcr, et qui sacrifient honteuscment " leurs honneursetlaurs droits pour encourager une oppression dont il n'y a jamais •« eu d'exemplo dans des Colonies Anglaises ! Si MM. Legendre et De Courval " s'etaient ranges sous la banni^re de cette horde d'envahisseurs, et de destruc- " teurs (de volonte au moins,) de nos droits, lis auraient iti aujourdhui procla- " mcs comme de fideles sujets I" C'est done un honneur, une gloire, pour ces braves citoyens, de voir leurs noms inscrits sur le catalogue sans fin de wctimcs de leur d6vouement il la cause 8acr *' mies of every thing that is liberal' and conSftftutional,< and who are only anxious •• to gratify the hatred they bear to the Cdtittdian people." Resolved, 6. " That persons who accept Commissions, in the place of persons ■ •' who have been removed, without' le^dl cause, are deserving of the public dis- " approbation, and are to be considered in no other light, than in that of enemies " of the rights of the people." Resolved, 7. " That the Members of this Meeting, forming the majority «• of the Officers of the said 3d Battalion of the County of Buckinghamshire, " will not submit to obey, without mortification, the person who will receive " orders to take the command of the said Battalion." Resolved, A. That a letter be acMr^ssed to Fran9ois Legendre, Esquire, and preseitted to Hinii by V^o jiiersbits chbsert by the said Meeting, assuring him this Meeting will always consider him a sincere friend of the rights of the people, •• that it will consider his removal as a civic crown acquired by his devotion," that it will always entertain for him the same r^^pect, the samb' confidetice and the same esteem which it has heretofore entertained, and Which he has justly me- rited, in the several capacities of Represetltative of the County, Lieutenant Co- lonel, Magistrate and si jiple Citizen. ^ _ Resolved, 9« That the following letter to Mr. Legiftndre be adopted, and that J. Bte. Herbert and Louis Laudry, Esquires, be requested to present it to him. Resolvei, 121 MS Laurent Genest, Alexis ReaUf J. B. Panneton, D. Prince, Jos. Chartier, Ls. Lebtanc, P. D6silait, J. Beauch^ue, Jos. Bellefeuille, Frs. H£on, Thomas For- tier, Joseph Pepin. Lu I'OrcIre G(5n6ral de Milice du 21 Fevrier dernier. Resolu, 1. " Quecette Assembl6e composde de la majoritc des Officiersdu " Smc Bataiiiondu Comt6de Buckinghamshire, doit s'occupcr dc suite de la " destitution de Frs. LegendrCf Ecuyer, comme Lieutenant-Colonel Comman- " dant le dit Bataillon, op6r^e par I'Ordre Gjn6raldu 21 fevrier dernier. Resolu, 2. Que pendant Ic tems que le dit Frs. Legendre, Ecuyer, a 6t6 Commandant du dit Bataillon, et de la ci-devant division de Becancour, il s'est toujours conduit d'uno mani^re loyaleet irr^prochable, qui lui a mfjritc le res- pect, la confiance et I'estime de touses les personnes qui ont it6 sous son Com- mandement. Resolu, 3. Que cette assembl^e regrette infiniment que Son Excellence ait us6 de son autorit6] pour priver ce monsieur d'une commission dont il rempli- sait les devoirs, avec honneur, par sa justice, sa moderation, et son exactitude. Resolu, 4. '* Que cette Assembl^e nevoitaucune raison qui ait pu induire «• Son Kxcellence aagird'une mani^re aussi arbitraire," si ce n'estle z^le avec lequelFranfois Legendre, Ecuyer, s'est conduit comme membreducomit^ cons- titutionnel du District des Trois-Rivi^res. Resolu, 5. " Que cette destitution ainsi que plusieurs autres, est une preuve " non Equivoque que Son Excellence ^coute les faux rapports des personnes ** ennemies de tout ce qui est liberal et constitutionnel, et qui ne cherchent qu*4 " assouvir la haine qu'elles ont centre le peuple Canadien." Resolu, 6. " Que les personnes qui acceptent des Commissions en rem- " placement de ceux qui ont et6 destitues sans cause legitimes, m^ritent I'im- " probation publique, et ne doivent etre considerees i^ue comme ennemis des " droits du peuple." ' • Resolu, 7. " Que les Membres de cette Assembl<;e, formant la majority i' des Otficiers du dit 3me. Bataillon du Comt6 de Buckinghamshire, ne pourront <* ob^ir qu'avec mortification ^ lapersonne qui aura ordre de prendre le com- ' mandement du dit Bataillon." RSsolu, 8. Qu'une lettre soit adressee a Fran9ois Legendre, Ecuyer, et prd- sent^e par deux personnes cboisies par la dite assemblce, lui temoignant qu'el- le le regardeiatoujours comme un ami sincere des droits du peuple, " qu'elle •' considerera sa destitution comme une couronne civique que son devouement " lui a raeritee," qu'clle aura toujours pour lui le m^me respect, la m^me con- fiance et la m£me estime qu'elle a eu pour lui, et qu'il a justement md'rit^s, soit comme repr^sentant du comt^, lieutenant-colonel, magistrat ou simple citoyen. Resolu, 9. Que la lettre suivantek M. Legendre, soit adoptee, et J. B. Hu- bert, et Louis Landry, Ecuyers, soient pri^s de la lui presenter. Q Rfiiolu, ■M ! :< ■ . 122 Resolved, 10. That this Meeting thanks the President for the zeal shewn hy him on this occasion. Resolved, 11. That the proceedings of this Meeting be published. (A true Copy.) (Signed,) LAURENT GENEST, Secretary. The 7th instant M M. Hebert and Landry, complied with the desire of the Meeting by presenting to Mr. Legendre the following Address : — Sir, We the undersigned Officers of Your late Battalion have learnt by a General Order of the 21st February last, that it has pleased His Excellency to deprive you of your Commission as Lieutenant Colonel. This dismissal would have surprised us, all any other time and under diifcrent circumstances ; but, ac- customed to see the dismissal of persons of the highest consideration, we had already foreseen that your personal merit and your devotion to the public cause would expose you to tne invidious remarks of subaltern agents, who, in order to obtain your Commission, would represent you in a false light to a Military Chief. We assure you' that we preserve for you the esteem, consideration and respect, which your civil and military conduct have entitled you to, " and that " we look upon your dismissal as being equivalent to a civic crown." (Signed) .TEAN BTE. HEBERT, President. LOUIS LANDRY. (Anmer of Mr. Legendre.) Gentlemen, I am sensibly affected by the esteem you shew for me on tlii» occasion. Your devotion assures me of the sentiments you have entertained tor me in times past, and I thank you for it. I was not at all surprised to observe in the Official Gazette, a General Order of the Earl of Dalhousie, which an- nounced my dismissal fron(^ the 3d Battalion of the County of Buckinghamshire, after the plots long since hatched against me, by mean and crouching indivi- duals, who at last have found a favorable opportunity in the credulity of a Chief who permits himself to be drawn into error by impostors ; who decides at random without hearing the parties accused. •I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, Your Servant, (Signed,) FRANS. LEGENDRE. Gentilly, 7th March, 1828. No. ins lUsolu, 10. Que cette absembl6e remercie le president du z^le qu'il a mon- tr^ dans la pr^sente circonstance. Risoh, 1 1. Que les proc6d£s de cette assembl^e soit publics. Fiourvraic copie, (Signl,) LAURENT GENEST, Seer. Le 7 du courant MM. Hebert et Landry se dont rendus aux ddsirs de I'as- senabl^e, en pr^sentant k M. Legendre I'adresse qui suit : Monsieur, Nous soussignds Officiers de votre ci-devant bataillon, avons appris par un ordrc general du 21 fevrier dernier, qu'il aplu A Son Excellence de vous priver de votrs commission de lieutenant-colonel. Cette destitution nous eutsurpris dans towte autre terns et toute autre circonstance, raais accoutum^s i\ voir des per- sonnes de la plus haute consideration destitutes, nous avions deja pr^vu que votre m6ritc personnel etvotrc d6vouement i\ la cause publique, vous expose- raientA la critique d'agens subalternes, qui pour avoir votre Commission, vous repr^senteraient sous un faux jour, aupr6s d'un chef militaire. Nous vous as- surons que nous conservons I'estime, la consideration, et le respect que votre conduite civile et militaire vous a m^rit^s, " et que nous considerons votre des- titution comme 6quivalente k une couronne civique. (Sign6) JEAN HEBERT, President LOUIS LANDRY. (Reponte de M, Legendre.) Messieurs* Je suis sensible h. I'estime que vous me t^moignez en cette circonstance. Votre d6vouement me prouve ce que vous avez et6 par le pass6, i mon 6gard, je vous en remercie. Je n'ai etd nullement surpris de voir dans la Gazette OflBcielle, un ordre g^nfiral duComte Dalhousie, quiannonfait ma des- titution de commandant du 3me bataillon du Comt6 de Buckinghamshiie, aprds les projets depuis long-temps m^dites centre moi, par des gens vils et rampants qui ont enfin trouv6 une occasion favorable dans la credulity d'un chef qui se laisse induireen erreurparles imposteurs qui lancent au hazard des jugemeus sans avoir entendu les parties accusees. ' J'ai I'honneur d'etre Messieurs, Votre Serviteur, (Sign6) FtlANCOIS LEGENDRE. Gentilly, 7 mars 1828. No. t ; 124 No. 7. Extract from the " Quebec Gazette" of the 12th November 1827, containing the libellous matter for which an indictment was found by the Grand Jury against Mr. Charles Mondelet, in the Term of the Court of King's Bench held at Quebec, in March 1828. 11 ' :!-^ ft' To His Excellency George, Earl of Dalhousie, Governor in Chief, &c. &c. &c. May it please Your Excellency : ' If I were only influenced by the voice which is strongly emitted from the bottom of the hearts of your partisans, and of the greater part of your courtiers, I should perhaps be inclined to see in yuu a privileged being, not to be reached by law ; but, may it please Your Excellency, proud of being born and of living a firitisii Subject, I musv admit as u sovereign principle, that the law is superior to the authorities. I muy then be permitted to avail tnyself of the right which every British Subject enjoys, that ot exposing to Your Excellency, with all the respect due to your high rank, a recent act of your Administration, which it ap- pears to me is not much calculated to signalize its character. Tlie greatest clearness, if I am not mistaken, as well as the most scrupulous good faith ought to characterize the acts of every Administration ; good faith in the performance of them, clearness in the mode and manner of submitting them to the public. Whatever then, may it please Your Excellency, may be the merit of the mutives which have led your Council to advise you to dismiss me from my Commission of Captain aide-Major in the division of Boucherville, I will take the liberty of telling Your Excellency, that your Council has deviated a little from sound logic in advising you on this subject, " to say nothing of the illegality of " of your General Order of the 5th November instant, in the issuing of which " your Council has made Your Excellency an instrument." The reason assigned, as the determining cause in Your Excellency's mind, appears to be my absence from the division to which I belonged. It must be admitted that if this disco- very on the part of your Council be recent, it is not vcy creditable to it; if it was not known tlint I did not reside at Boucherville, how happens it that the zeal of your Council has been up to the present time so sluggish ? If then the motive of Your Excellency, for dismissing me, has been my non-residence in the division of Boucherville, it is rather singular that Messrs. Charles Panet, Pierre Elzeard Taschereau, and Charles Turgeon, equally absent with myself from the divisions to which they belong, should have become such peculiar objects of the favor of your Council, as to induce it to give Your Excellency such extraordinary advice. These gentlemen have been promoted, and singular to say, •• your Council has •• not been fearful either for itself, or for your Excellency, of public reprobation, " or the ridicule which such contradictory conduct must bring on the pjrson *' guilty of it !" A few lines will suffice to exhibit it to the public in all its de- formity. It appears to me, may it please Your Excellency, that law, justice and sound policy (which under an Administration ought to have for its object not to excite discontent,) ought to have had sufficient influence to prevent your Council, and as a necessary consequence. Your Excellency from thus going astray. To dis- miss a British Subject from his public functions, without first affording him an opportunity of being heard, without assigning him any reasons for the measure, or assiging such as cover both the measure itself as well as those b}' whom it has been adopted with ridicule, is certainly not manifesting much respect for public opinion, and for the ideas and principles which the present age and the admirable system if U5 has No. 7. fixTRAiT de la " Gazette de Quebec" du 20 Novembre 1827, contenant la ma. ti^re iibelleuse pour laquelle le grand Juri a mia M. Cliarlcs Monelet cn accusation dans le Terme de la Cour du Banc du Roi tenu k Quebec en Mars 1838. A Son Excellence George Comte de Dalhousie, Governeur-en-Chef, Sec. ice. &c. Qu'il plaise h. Votre Excellence, ' Se si n'^coutais que la voix qui se fait entendre puissamment au fond dcs coeurs de beaucoup de vos partisans, et de la plupart dc vos courtisans, jc serais f)eut-£tre enclin h voir en vous un etre privilegiu, et a I'abii des atteintes de la oi. Mais, qu'il plaise a Votre Excellence, glorieux d'etre nti ct dc vivre sujet britannique, jc dois reconnaitre comme principe souverain, que la loi est au-des- sus des autorit^s. II me sera done pcrmis, dc me pnvaloir du droit dont joiiit un sujet de I'empire britannique, celui de signaler a Votre Excellence, avec tout le respect que votre haut rang commando, un acte r<^cent de votre Administra- tion, qui, ce me semble, ne lui donne pas beaucoup de relief. La plus grande clarte si je nc me trompe, aiissi bien que la bonne foi la plus scrupuleusc, doivcnt caracti^riser les Actes cl'une Administration quclconque j la bonne foi dans leur perpetration, la clarte dans la manicre et le mode dont il sont soumis au public. Or, quil plaise a Votre Excellence, queique soit le ra^ite dcs motifs qui ont pu induire Votre Conseil ;\ vous porter a me dc'mettre de ma Commission dc Capi- taine Aide Major k la division do Bouchervillc, je prendrai la libcrte de rcpre- senter a Votre Excellence, que votre Conseil s'est un peu (^carte de la saine io- gique, en vous avisant sur cettc matiere, " abstraction taite de rillcgalite de votre " Ordre General du 5 Novembre courant, u I'cmanation duqucl votre Conseil a fait " servir dinstrument, Votre Excellence." La raison assignee comme cause agis- sante sur I'esprit de Votre Excellence, me parait Hre mon absence de la Division k laquelle j'appartenais. II i'aut avouer, que si cettc dccouverte de la part de Votre Conseil est recente, ellc ne dit pas beaucoup en sa faveur ; si i'on savait que je ne rt^sidais pas ;\ Boucherville, comment se fait-il que le zele de Votre Conseil ait et6 jusqu';\ present si endormi? Si done, le motif de Votre Excellence, pour me demettre, est appuyc sur ma non-residence dans la division de Boucherville, il est assez singulier que MM. Charles Fanct, Pierre Elzear Taschereau, et Charles Turgeon, *< tion of them,'' you could not, it is true, injustice dismiss mo without giving me an opportunity, of being heard, but at least, in its form, '♦ your General Order " would not have been revolting to reason, and that Order would not have been " so striking an object of ridicule" with men who do not make a voluntary or constrained profession of bowing their heads with servility, on hearing the voice of him who in the estimation of many is considcrd to be above the laws. Finally, may it please Your Excellency, I will take the liberty of telling you, with the freedom of a British Subject, " that your Council leads Your Excellciicy sadly " astray, by inducing you to commit acts which ought to be unheard of under ** British (tominion, and of which our Colony alone exhibits examples." As to my dismissal, (*' which in fact is no dismissal at ull, inasmuch as there are no Militia Laws,") far from mortifying me or producing on me the efToct which your Council and your Excellency may have anticipated, it can only recc und to my honor, whether it has been occasioned " by my refusal to ccknowlec'gt *;o be law, " Ordinances which are not so," or by the political conduct wh!<;li justice, my respect for the Laws and Constitution, and my inviolable attachmenL to the in- terests of my country, have compelled me to pursue. Such has been my con- duct, may it please Your Excellency, such it will continue to be as long as I shall have the happiness to boast of bemg a British Subject. CHARLES MONDELET, Ex-Captain Aide Major, in tiie division of Boucherviile, 'iM Advocate, residing at Three P.'vers, Quebec, lOth November, 1828. t: No. 8. Extracts from the " Quebec Gazette" of the 29th November 1827, containing the libellous matter, for which an Indictment was found by the Grand Jury against Mr. Nellson, the Editor and Printer cf that Paper, in the Term of the Court of King's Bench held at Quebec in March 1828. We have seen that the Attorney General laid before the Grand Jury Bill» of Indictment for libel, to wit. two against Messrs. Waller and DuvernaV, the former being Editor, and the latter Printer of the Canadian Spectator, and one ngainst Mr. Lane, printer of the Spectateur Canadien, and that the majority of the Jury found these Bills true. As the sole remark to be made, I refer to the composition of the Jury, and declare that it is the first time, to my knowledge, that a Court of Justice, instead of inspiring in all the citizens confidence and security, has appeared on the contrary to inspira alarm for the liberty and property of the individuals in general, for whose protection it must be supposed to have been constituted. The Bill found against the Editors of the Papers which are not the supporters of arbitraty power, is certainly worthy of the other proceedings of a Court which, instead of occupying itself according to constant usage, and as pointed out in the charge of his Honor Judge Reid, in delivering the gaol crowd- ed with brigands, incendiaries and murderers, selected almost exclusively, as the objects 127 ** r^Tus<- ^rex^cutiondevos ordrcs g6n<-raux, qui me scmblent aussi illrgaux quo " son illt'-gales, ct non lois, Ics orilonnunces que I'on assignc commclcur bAse," vous n'auriez pas pu, i\ la v£rit6, en justice, me d^mettrc, sans me donncr Toccn- aion d'rtrc entcndn. mais au moins, les formes dc votrc Ordre Gen^-ral n'auraicnt fas en apparcncc choqii6 la raison, ct ccc ordre n'aurait pas Hi aussi fortcment objet du ridicule dc ccux qui nc font pas profession vulontaire ou n^cessairc de courber servilement la tOtc ^ la voix de celui que plusieurs rcgardcnt comme dtant au>dessus des lois. En dcrnicrc analyse, qu'il piuise a Votrc Excellence, je mo permcttrai dc vousdirc, en nsant du droit d'un sujct anglais " que votrc Conseil " 6garc grandcment Votre Excellence, en la portant a commcttrc des attcs qui " dcvraient Ctre inou'usousl'empirebritannique, ctdont notre Colonic sculconru " des cxcmpies." Quant ^ ma dumission fqui dans le fond n'cn est pas unc puisquUn'if a aucune hide tnilice) loin dc me pcincr, loin dc produirc sur mui I'eflTet que Votre Conseil ct Votrc Excellence en ont pcut-ttre anticip('-, clle ne peutquemc icndrcglorieux, " soit qu'clle ait eu pour cause mon ref'us de rccon> " naitre comme lois, des ordonnances qui nc le sont pas,*' soit qu'clle ait etc U suite de la conduite polUiquc que la justice, mon respect pour les loix et lacons- titution, et mon attachement incbranlable aux intircts de ma patric, m'ont impost le devoir imp^ricux de tenir. Telle a ete ma conduite, qu'il plaisc a Votre Ex- cellence, telle elle sera, tant que j'aurai le bonlieur deme glorifier d'etre un sujet britannique. M\,% CHARLES MONDELET, Ex-Capitaine aide*Major k la division de Bou- cherville, et Avocat residnnt aux Trois -Rivieres. Quebec, 10 Novembre, 1827. No. 8. ExTRAiT de la " Gazette de Qutbec" du 29 novembre 1827, contenant la ma- ti^re libelleuse pour laquelle le Grand-juri a mis I'Editeur et Imprimeur de ce papier en accusation, dans Ic Terine de ia Cour du Banc du Roi tenuc k Quebec en mars 1828 : I Nous avons vu que le Procureur-G^neral a soumis au Grand-juri des bills d'accusation pour libelle, savoir: deux centre MM, Waller et Duveinay, I'un Editeur et I'autre Imprimeur du Canadian Spectator, un cotitre M. Lane, Im- primeur du Spectateur Canadien ; ec que la majorite des jur^s a approuve ces bills. «• Pour toute remarque, je renvoie a la composition du'Juri ; et je declare seule- *< ment que c'est la premiere fois, k ma connaissance, qu'une Cour de Justice, *< aulieu d'inspirer iaconfianceet la SL'Curitci\ tous les citoyens, a paru inspirit '* au contraire des craintes pour la liberty et la propri^t^ des individus en general, *' qu'elle etait censee defendre. Le bill trouv^ centre les Editeurs des Papiers *' qui ne sont pas les fauteurs du pouvoir arbitraire, est certainement digne des *' autres precedes d'une Cour, qui, au lieu de s'occuper, comme I'indique la " pratique constante ct le discours d'oiiverture de son honneur le Juge Reid, a " vuider les Prisons surcharg^es de brigands, d'inccndiaires et de meurtriers, a ' pris presque exclusivement pour nbjet de ses travaux pendant une durce de „ quiiize mm ^r^P 128 object) of iti labours, diirinfi^a session ofHftccn Juys, oflTences of s much inferior duscription, such as riots, assaii'ts and batteries, and mere mistlcnieanors, before which in fine, were drni^god fo' poHticui uHenccs, persons who had alrondv been acquitted by a Jury of tncir v-ountry, or other persons who were not even in cut- tocfy when this Court was constituted. Tiio Uills for I'eriury found at the in« Htanco of the Attorney General, against persons who had been acquitted at the .'ist Term of the Court of King's Bench : the Dills for riot, and assault and batte- ry, against a number of the Kiectors of the West Ward of Montreal, whereas the last Grand Jury had found a Dill against two only for rescue, that is, for rescuing a person out of the hands of a Cunstuble ; the accusation against Mr. Jacques Viger for not having executed an order of the Magistrates, which he was pre- vented from executing in consequence of a supersedeas granted by several other of the Magiittrates : finally, the Hill against the presses which do not servilely crouch at the feet of certain public Ofticora. This is the kind of protection for which the society frota which the Grand Jury, it is pretended was drawn, is in- debted. In speaking of the composition of the Grand Jury, we do not mean to say that all the .Members of it were of the same cast ; such partiality would have been too evident. 1 only persuade myself that the mere inspection of their names is sufficient to excite strong suspicions on tiiishead. The Members of the Jury were far from being unanimous on the accusations of a political nature ^ several of them would have blushed at being made the in- strument of persecution ; it is even said that some whose political opinions might have led them astray, were struck with the nature of the ofl'ences brought before that Court; it is also said that in the affair of the Journals, fourteen only out of twenty-three Jurors concurred in opinion on one of these Dills ; that one of the Members of the minority explained to his colleagues in a firm and luminous man- ner, the danger they wouM incur by acting under the influence of resentment and passion.. APPENDIX No. 2. .'I '; (No. 2.) Affidavit ^William Green, Esq. Clerk of 'he Crown for the District of Quebec, PROVINCE OF LOWER CANADA. District of) Quebec. jTo Wit: WILLIAM GREEN, of the City of Quebec, Esquire, maketh oath, that he hath held, jointly with Fran9ois Xavier Perrault, Esquire, the office of Clerk of the Peace for the District of Quebec, during nineteen years, and hath held the office of Clerk of the Crown during seven years. And the Dmonent further saith, that on the twenty-sixth day of February, now last past, at tne said City of Quebec, he was examined as a witness, before the Committee of Grie- vances, sitting under the authority of the House of Assembly of this Province. — That in the course of his examination as such witness, as aforesaid, he this De- ponent, stated to the said Committee, as a part of his evidence, that the' Attor- ney General (meaning James Stuart, ''squire. His Majesty's Attorney General for this Province) had never taken any step, foi causing Cases to be tried be- fore • 129 •• quinze joum, dcs u^nncs l)icn moindrcs, tcllps que dcs /•mciitcs, <1c^ ns«aiilts " etbattcri<"t iiciimplcs diUlH ; dcvuiitlaqiiellc entin oim trailuit, pour den oMoti- " scs politique^, dcs pcnonncH qui avaient lUjl Hi ncquittd'cs pur un .liiri dti •• payn, oil d'autrcR |)cr!ionne» qui n'^tnicnt pas m^me arnti cs lor» dc la con-tli- " tution ilu la Conr." Lcs bills pour purjuru tiouvcs cnutrc cux a la poursuitedu I'rocurour-Ccni^ral, niaintcnant partic publiiiuo contru cux, ct qui avnit ctu ncquittc's nil dernier terinc du Uanc dii uoi } ies bills pour ^mcutc ct assault ct battcrie conirc iinmbro dVlcctoiirs du (juaitier-oucst dc MdiUrcnl, lorHquc In dernier (irandjuri avail trnuvc bill coiitrc deux sculcmcnt pour rescue ou di li> vrancc il'un prisonnier d'ciitrc lex mains dun constable -, racciisatiou purtcc con- tre M. Jucqucs Vigcr pour n'avoir pas mis \ execution un ordrc des magistrats, n'ajiant pu k fairc en cons^'qucncc d'un supersedeas accordi' par plusicms nutrcs niembres de cc corps ; cntin le bill contra Ies presses cpii nc rampent pas servile- ment uux pieds de certains otticicrs publics ; voil.i la protection que doit a lu Cour la societu du corps dc huiucllc on pretend que Ic (irand-juri n ct6 tire. En parlant de la composition du Cirand-juri, cu n'cst pas 'i dire que tons scs mcmbrcs soient de la memo trempc; la partialit6 ei'it ^tc trop visible ; je mc flattu scule- n\ent que la scule inspection de Icurs noms pent exciter de grands soupipons ;t ce suiet. Lcs mcmbrcs du Juri ont vU' bien loin d'etre unanimcs sur lcs accusations d'unc nature politique; plusieurs d'cntr'cux auraicnt rougi descrvir d'instrumens u la persecution ; on dit mCmc quo quelques-uns dont lcs opinions politiques auraicnt pu lcs (garcr, ont temps au dit Comit^, comme partie de son t^moignage susdit, que les considerations qui avaient porti6 le dit Procureur-G^'neral k poursuivre ou k ne pas poursuivre dans la Cour du Banc du Roi les offenses pour des petits larcins ou de simples d^lits, out toujours^t6 fondles sur la circonstance de la detention ou de la non deten- tion de la partie accus6e durant la Session de la Cour du Banc du Roi ; si la partie accus6e s'est trouv^^e d^tenue en Prison durant la Session, elle a 6t6 poursuivie dans la Cour du Bans du Roi, et ce en faveur de la liberty du sujet, et comme moyen incident de vider la Prison ; sinon TaiTaire a €t6 laiss^e pour que la pour- suite en filt faite devant les Sessions de Trimestres. Et le D^posant dit deplus, que le t^moignige susdit, k I'egard des details ci-dessus,quoique (lonnes devant le dit Comit6 comme susdit, ne iutpas r^dig^par ^'cric, attendu qu'il fut dit par le Membre du Comit^, M. Lafontaine, qui propo- sait linterrogatoire, en r^ponse duquel le dit t^mo'gnage fuldonn^ comme susdit, qu'il n'etait pas ndcessaire de coucher par £crit cette partie du dit t^moignage du Deposant qui vient d'etre ci-devant r^cit^e. Et le D^posant dit de plus que le susdit timoignage ainsi donn^ par lui le Ddposanl comme susdit, est vrai dans tous ses details. Et le Deposant dit en outre que le dit James Stuart, depuis qu'il a exerc6 la charge de Procureur-G^n^ral comme susdit, n'a pas, k la con- naissance du Deposant, dans aucune circonstance, d^vie de la pratique de ses Pr^decesseurs en Office k l'6gard de la description des crimes dont il a fait la poursuite dans la Courdu Bancdu Roi. Etle Deposant dit de plus, qu'ilafkit sa Cl^ricature pour £tre admis au Barreau dads la Province, dans I'Etude de I'Honorable Janathan Sewell, Ecuyer, maintenant Juge en Chef, et ci-devant Procureur-G^n^ral de cette Province, pendant et entre les ann^s 1803 et 18U8, et que la m^me pratique suivie par le dit James Stuart, dans les poursuites pour larcins et simples d^lits, comme susdit, a €t€ conserv^e par le dit Jo|»athan Sewell, dans les poursuites criminelles de cette nature, port^es par lui daiis la Cour du Pane du Roi. Et le Deposant ne dit rien de plus. '''. I «?"■■ (Sign6,) W. GREEN. Asserment^ en la Cite de Quebec, ce Ae.jour d'avril 1831, devant moi, (Sign6,) EDWd. BOWEN, J. B. R. COPY OF A PETITION FROM . • JAMES STUART, ESQUIRE, TO HIS MAJESTY, And of a Memoir or Statement in explanation and supportof it, relating to an Address of the Assembly of Lower Canada, praying for the dismissal of the said James Stuart from the office of Attorney General * for that Province. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. The humble Petition of James Stuart, of the City of Quebec, in the Province ofLower Canada, Esquire, .i y Sheweth, • •' ' ' . . That Your Majesty's petitioner, in pursuance of a Mandamus in this behalf, was appointed Attorney General of His late Majesty George the Fourth for the Province of Lower Canada, by Commission under the Great Seal of the said province, bearing date the thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, and, since Your Majesty's accession, in j)ursuance of Your Majesty's Mandamus hath been appointed Your Majesty's Attorney General for the said province, by a like Commission, bearing date the eleventh day of December last. That Your Majesty's petitioner, from the period of his first appointment to the said office, hath discharged the duties thereof, with unremitting assiduity, faithfully and honestly; and hisofficial conduct, in all particulars, has ' 2en not only unexceptionable, but, he humbly presumes to believe, has been meritorious, and deserving of approbation. That Your Majesty's petitioner has, notwithstanding, experienced the mor- tification of finding that his conduct has recently been misrepresented before a Committee of the Assembly of Lower Canada, and that upon certain ex parte proceedings had in thai Assembly, an Address was adopted, in March last, to be laid at the foot of Your Majesty's thi me, whereby the said Assembly prays that Y'oiT Majesty will be pleased to dismiss your petitioner from the office of Attorney Street, 6th August, 1831. % i' iff 135 cte inform(5, si ce n'est par la elite adresse, que tclles offenses luiCanada, des offenses all^gu^es dont d est enti^rement innocent, sur les pt'oc^dc's exparte, auxquels il a 6t6 tout-£l>fait etranger, sans aucune occasion de se defendre ni justifier, ni d'etre entendu ; et sur cette conviction la dite adresse appelle le chiltiment et la disgrace sur votre Pltitionnaire. "^ •« Sous I'excellente constitution et les lois de ce pays, dont le Bas>Canada, heu- reusement pour ses habitans continue a defendre, aucune violation des principes dc la justice naturelle dans I'exercice de I'autorite, n'est permise ni m^me a craindre. D'apres cette consideration, aussi bieu oue d'apr^s la justice bien connue de votre Majeste, votre Pltitionnaire est persuade que I'infliction d'une peine pour oflenscs imput^es, n'aura jamais lieu, sous le gouvernement sage et juste de votre Majeste, sans donner k I'accusS une occasion de se defendre et dese justifier. Etant enti^rement innocent des offenses all^gu^es dont I'assemblee du Bas- Canada I'a d6clar6 coupable comme il a ^t6 mentionn^, votre Pltitionnaire re- clame humblement et avec confiance la protection de la justice de votre Majestt!-, afin qu'il nesoitpas, pour ces offenses imputes, puni et disgraci6, sans avoir ete entendu. A ces causes le Pltitionnaire de votre Majest6 dcmande trSs-respectueuse- ment qu'il plaise gracieusement k votre Majestd de lui donner une occasion d'^ta- blir que les offenses articulees dans la dite adresse de I'assemblee du Bas-Canada, lui ont iti imput^es sans fondement, et qu'il est innocent, et qu'il plaise gracieu- sement en outre k votre lMajest6, de lui accorder tel autre remade que votre Majesty dans sa sagesse et justice, jugera propre et convenable. Et votre Pltitionnaire ne cessera de prier, &c. Londres, 46 Albemarle-Street, 6 Ao6t 1831. (Signi,) J. STUART. i : W' '■' ■' 'iHi MEMOIR, OB STATEMENT IN EXPLANATION AND SUPPORT OF THE PETITION OF JAMES STUART, ESQ. TO HIS MAJESTY. The Petitioner, by His Petition, appeals to the justice cf His Majesty for protection in the office of his Attorney General for the Province of Lower Ca- nada, and that he may not be punished and disgraced for offences imputed to liim by the Assembly of that Province, without an opportunity previously afforded to him for self-defence and justification. — In the upright and faithful discharge of tlie duties of his office, it became incumbent on the Petitioner, in the years lS27and 1828, to institute certain criminal prosecutions, which are to be consi- dered as having furnished motives for, and as being the immediate cause, of the proceedings adopted against him by the Assembly of Lower Canada. — These pro- secutions, at the time they were instituted, were of urgent necessity to enforce respect for the laws and constituted authorities of the country, and to maintain peace and good order. — They consisted in indictments for seditious libels ; for aggravated riots, accompanied by acts of violence against persons in authority ; and for perjnry. Three of these indictments were brought to trial, at Montreal, in March Term, 1830. One of them being for U riot at an election held at that place, for the election of two Members to serve in the Provincial Assembly, and for ass udting and beating the Returning Officer, while employed in the execu- tion of his office, and the other two for perjury. — It was immediately after these trials, and during the excitement they produced in the political party to which the defendants belonged, that a Petition to the House of Assembly was put into circulation, for signatures, complaining of the >:onduct of the Petitioner, in rela- tion to criminal persecutions. This Petition was signed, exclusively, by the par- tisans and adherents of the same political party, in subservience to whose views the principal offences which had been made the subjects of indictment were com- mitted ; and the signatures to it were, for the most part, those of the persons accused, and of their attornies, counsel, and friends. According' to Parliamen- tary usage, the Petition became extinct with the Provincial Parliament in which it was prpacnted, which expired a few months after. A new Parliament met in J,anuary last, and early in tne Session, General Committees were appointed, as is usual ; and, among these, a Standing Committee of Grievances. — To this Com- mittee, composed entirely of persons belonging to the same political party, of which some ot them were prominent members, and all of whom, from political animosity or personal resentment, were knovM to be hostile to the Petitioner, the Petition already mentioned, to a former Parliament, without any renewal ol" complaint on the part of the Petitioners, and without any complaint whatever to the existing Parliament, was referred ; and, it would appear, was ostensibly made the foundation of the proceedings which are now brought under the consi- deration ME MO I RE ou EXPOSE' EN EXPLICATION ET A L APPUI D£ LA PETITION DE JAMES STUART, ECR. A SA MAJESTE'. Le p^titionnaire, par sa petition, en appelle a la justice de Sa Majeste pour le protcger dans I'Office de son Procureur-General pour la Province du Bas-Canada, et qu'il ne soil pas puni et disgraci6 pour offenses i lui impulses par I'Assemblfie de cette province, sans qu'il lui soit auparavaiit donn6 une occasion de se defendre et de se justifiar. Dans I'execution fidele des devoirs de son office, le p^titionnaire se trouva, dans les annees 1827 et 1828, dans lobligation d'in- tenter certaines poursuites criminelles, qui doivent 6tre regardees comme ayant fourni les motifs, et conime etant la cause immediate des proced^s adoptes cen- tre lui par I'Assemblee du Bis-Canada. Ces poursuites au temps qu'elles fu- rent intent^es, ^taient de necessite urgente pour hire respecter les lois et les autorites constitutes du pays, et pour maintenir la paix ct !e bon ordre. C'e- taient des accusations pour libelles seditieux ; pour craeutes aggrav^es, accom- pagnees d'actes de violence contro les personnes en autorite ; et pour parjure. Trois de ces accusations ont ete nienees <\ fin, ;\ Montreal, dans le terrae de mars 1830. Une 6tant pour une ^meute a une Election tenue i\ cette place, pour r61ection dedeux membres pour servir dans l'Asst;mblt'e Proviuciale, et par assaut et batterie contre I'Ofticier Rapporteur, dans I'execution de son office, et I'autre pour parjure. Cefut immediatement a la suite de ces proems, et pen- dant Tex^cution qu'ils produisaicnt d.ins le parti politique auquel les d^fendeurs apartenaient ; qu'une petition u la Chanibre d'Assemblee fut mise en circula- tion, pour avoir des signatures, contenant des plaintes contre la couduite du p6- titionnaire, il I'^gard des poursuites criminelles. Cette petition fut sign^e ex- clusivement par les partisans et adherens du meme parti politique, pour servir aux vues duquel les principales offenses quiavaientete le sujetdes accusations, avaient et^ commises ; et les signatures qui y furent appos6es, ^talent, pour la plupan, celles des accuses eux-memes, et de leurs procureurs, avccats et amis. D'apresl'usage parleraentaire, la petition tomba avec le parlement provincial dans lequel elle avait €ti presentee, lequel expira quelque mois apres. Un nouveau parlement s'assembla en Janvier dernier, etdans le commencement de la session, il fut nomme des comitds g6neraux comme de coutume, et parmi ceux-ci, un comit6 permanent des griefs. A ce comite, compose entierement de personnes appartenant au mfime parti politique, dont quelques-uns ^taient des membres marquans, et qxii tons, par animosit6 politique ou par ressentiment politique ; etaient connus pour 6tre hostiles au p6titionnaire, fut renvoy^e la petition dija mentionn^e, pr^sent6e a un parlement precedent, sans aucun re- nouvellement deplaiBte del; part des p6titionnaires, et sans qu'il e^t ete fait aucune plainte quelcOuque au parlement existant ; et, ^ ce qu'il parait, elle fut S ostensiblement 1 \<- ' -P 138 \l4 3. i deration of His Majesty. — To tl.csc proceedings the Petitioner was an entire stranger, no intimation having been given to him that his conduct was the siibiect of complaint or investigation — no explanations or defence having been required from him — and no participation in or privity to them having been afforded him. With the result, only, of these proceedings the Petitioner was made acquainted, which he learnt was an address to the Governor of the Province to suspend hiijn, and an address to His Msijesty to dismiss him from the office of Attorney Gene- ral, aiid thenceforward not to grant him any place of trust whatever in the Pro- vince. To this latter address, the Petition, now most humbly submitted to His Majesty, relales. To avert the injustice which would be accomplished, if the address of the Assembly were acceded to, and rescue his character from unmerited imputations, the Petitioner has left the country of his aibodc, his business and pursuits, that lie might in person present and sustain his Petition for redress. He seeks justice on the facts of the case, without regard to a want of jurisdiction in the Assem- bly, to technical objections, or irret^nlarity and insufficiency in the proceedings adopted against him ; and, if he notices these particulars, it is that he may not appear to have been unaivare of them, and of the considerations of law and pub- lic policy which they suggest. — While he adverts briefly to the latter topics, he purposes, in support of his Petition, most distinctly to establish that his conduct in the matters referred to by the Assembly in their address, has been not only unexceptionable, but meritorious, and that no cause whatever has been afforded for the infliction of the punishment, with which the Assembly has sought unjustly to visit him, undefended and unheard. The punishment. of the Petitioner is prayed for by the Assembly, on the ground of the following alleged or supposed offences, whereof they represent him to have been guilty : Ist. Because he has abused the p&wer with which he has been invested, as such Attorney General, so as to betray the confidence and trust with which his Majesty has honoured him, and that he has, by the serious offi^nces which he has committed in his high office, rendered himself totally unworthy of His Majesty's future confidence. Qdly. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by persisting in prosecuting, before the Superior Tribunals, persons ac- cused of minor offences, which ought to have been prosecuted at the Quarter Sessions of thb Peace, has been guilty of malversation in oflice, and this with the sordid view of increasing his emoluments. 3dly. Because the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Province, in order to show his attachment to the Executive Government of the day, ha3 been guilty of partiality and persecution in the execution of the duties of his office, by instituting libel prosecutions, unjust and ill-founded, against divers persons, and has thereby rendered himself unworthy of the confidence of His Majesty's subjects in this Province. 4thly. Becauss tiie said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by making at the election of Sorel, or Borough of William-Henry, in the y<>ar one thouseind eight hundred and twenty seven, where he was one of the Can- didates, use of threats and acts of violence to intimidate some of the electors of the place, and by promising impunity to others, displayed his contempt of the freedom of election, and has infringed the laws which protect it. Lithly. Because the said James Stuart, Esq., Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by prosecuting for peijury certain electors of Sorel aforesaid, who had voted against him, and by refusing or neglecting to prosecute others who were no better qualified, but who had voted in his favour, was actuated by motives of persontil revenge. Which made him forget his duty and the oath he has taken as His Majesty's Attorney General in this Province, and that it would be dan- - gerous Provim rendit en ir.sl fond^ei jeste' er 4' Provin< mil-hui partie preuve .5' Provinc avaient qui n'e des mo mentq ft 139 ostensiblement rendue le fondement des proc^di's qui sonl niaintcnant amends sons la consideration de Sa Majestc. Le Petitionnaircfut tout-a-fait Stranger a ce» pioc<5d6s,et il ne lui f'ut fait • nuic intimation quo sa condiiite etait le sujct do plainte ou d'invcstigation ; il iic liii a ill- dciuandu aucune explication on defense, etil ne lui en a 6t6 donne aucune participation ni communication. Ce n'est que du r^sultat de ces procc'dts que le Petitionnaire a ett' infbrmi', qu'il a appris par une adresse au Gouverncur de la Province demandant sa suspension, et une adrcssc a Sa Majeste demandant r.a destitution de I'OHice de Frocureur-General, et de ne lui accorder k I'avcnir aucune place de confiancc quelconque dans la Province. C'est a cette dernierc adresse que se rapporte la Petition qui e".t maintenanthumblement soumise a Sa Majeste. Pour rcpousser I'injustice qui rcsulteraient de I'adressc de I'Assemblte si la demande en ctait accorck'e, etpourlaver son caractcrc d'imputations non ni^'ri- tees, Ic petitionnaire a quittii le pays de sa residence, ses affaires et ses occupations, pour pouvoir en personnc presenter ct soutenir sa petition pour rcdrcssi?ment. II demande justice sur les faits de I'affiiire, sans (■■gard pour le manque de jurisdiction chcz l'Assembl6e, adx obligations de forme, ou ;\ lirregularitfi et I'insuffisanco des procedfl'S adoptc's contre lui j ct, s'il rcmarque ces particularites, c'est quil pcutne pas paraitre les avoir i;^nortes, ainsi que les considerations de droit et de police publiqiie qu'ellessuscitaicnt. En toucliant bricvement aux derniers points, il se propose, a I'appui do sa petition, d'etablir tres-distinctement que sa conduite dans Icsmatieresrapportees par I'AssembKe dans ses adresses, a etc non seule- ment pxer.ipte de blame, mais digne d'eloge, et quil n'a nullement donnf; lieu ii linfliction de la peineqne I'Assemblcea appeleinjustcment sur lui, sans I'enten- dre et sans defense de sa part. L'Assemblee demande la punition du Petitionnaire, a raison des offenses al- legu<;es ou supposees qui suivent, doat die Ic repru'sente s'etre rendu coupable. 1 ° . Parte qu'ayant abuse des pouvoirs dont il est revctu, il a trahi la con- fiance dont Sa Majeste I'avait honore, ct que par les fautes graves dontil s est ren- du coupable, il s'est montre indigne de cette confiance. 2°. Parce que le die James Stuart, Eciiyer, Procuieur-General de cette Province, en persistant a tradnire devant les tiibunaux supirieurs des personnes pr^venues d'offenses legeres, et pour lesquel'es elles auraient du etre pourauivies dans les Sessions triinestiieliesd^ la Paix, sest rendu coupable de malversation, et cela dans le but sordide d'aiig.nenter ses cmolumens. 3 ° . Parce que le dit James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur.Gen^;;^! de cette Province, pour montrer -ja devouement au (iouvernement Executif d'alors, se rendit coupable de partialitc et de persecution dans I'execution de ses devoirs, en ir.stituant contre (livers individus, des poursuiles pour libelle, injustes et mal fondles, et qu'en cela il sest rendu indigne de la confiance des sujets de Sa Ma- jeste en cette Province. 4 ° . Parce que le dit James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-Gendral de cette Province, en employant a I'Election de Sorol, (ou Bourg de William Henry,) en mil-huit-cent-vingt-scpt, des menaces et des actes de violence, pour intimider une partie des Electeurs du dit lieu, et en promettant I'impunite a d'autres, a fait preuvede son m^pris pour lesliberteselectives, et a enfreintla loiqui les protege. 5®. Parce que le dit James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-General de cette Province, en poursuivant pour parjure certains Electeurs du dit lieu de Sorel, qui avaient vote contre lui, tandis qu'il a refuse ou ii^glig^ d'en poursuivre d'autres qui n'etaient pas mieux qualifies, mais qui avaient vote en sa faveur, aete mu par des motifs de vengeance personnelle, et qu'en cela il a oublie ses devoirs et le ser- ment qu'il a prete comme Procureur-General de cette Province j et qu'il serait dangereux ■til 140 W\ : I •. ft! m gerous to continue to him povrcrs of which he has made use in so arbitrary and unjustifiable n manner. nthly. Because the said James Stuart, Esq., Attorney General of this Pro- vince, by inducing at the said election of Soicl, certain electors who were not qualified to take oaths usual on such occasions, although he knew that those indi- vidualswerc not qualified, has been guilty of subornation of perjury. Lastly. Because by his conduct for several years past, the said James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of this Province, has brought the administration of Criminal Justice in this Province, into dishonour and contempt ; and that he has been guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors; that his conduct has utterly de- prived him of the esteem and confidence of the inhabitants of this Province ; and that his continuing to occupy any place of trust therein could not be other- wise than injurious to His Majesty's Government in this Province. Before pTocecding to give a distinct answer in detail to the imputation of each of these alledged offences, in succession, the petitioner will beg leave, succinctly, to notice considerations which appear to him of the highest import- ance, in relation to the course of proceeding thus adopted by the Assembly of Lower-Canada, to the nature of some of the alledged offences, and to the form in which all of them are charged upon the petitioner. By its address to his Majesty, the House of Assembly, it appears to the petitioner, has not exhibited charges of official misconduct against him, to which he is required to furnish an answer, and on which a determination, after the requisite investigation, is sought. But assuming to itself, it would seem, the power, on the ex parte statements of individuals, made in the absence of the party accus2d, in secret, and not under oath, of convicting a public officer, not only of acts of official misconduct, but even of criminal offences, within the exclusive jurisdiction of Courts of Law, the Assembly, by its address, prays for the punishment of the petitioner, as on a conviction which has determined his guilt. Under this view of tho address, the Assembly has assumed the character and functions of judge, as well as accuser, in respect of the same accusations ; it has converted itself into a Courtof Justice for criminal offences, cognizable by Courts of Law only; it has exercised and blended in itself the functions of accuser and Court, of Grand and Petit Jury, in respect of the same accusation, by declar- ingthe petitioner guilty of the offence of subornation of perjury ; and of all the alledged offences, specified in the address, including the offence last mentioned, it has convicted the petitioner, in his absence without defence or hearing of any liind, on his part, upon the cr par/e statements of individuals examined in secret, not under oath, without cross-examination, or opportunity for cross-examination on his part, and entirely irresponsible for the falsehoods by which they have sought to injure him. Tifiat such a course of proceeding involves an assumption of uncontitutional and illegal powers on the part of the House of Assembly, and is, moreover, repugnant to reason and justice, is too evident to require observa- tion. It becomes, therefore as it appears to the petitioner, in his humble appre- hension, a most important preliminary point for consideration, whether the Address of the Assembly does or does not possess the characternow ascried to it. If tliis character do belong to it, a conclusive reason would seem to be thence derived, that it should not be acted upon, but that the House of Assembly should be left to exhibit against the petitioner, if so advised, any complaint oV accusation which it may be within its competence to prefer, in such form and monner as may admit of an answer, investigation, and decision on it. This being, as the petitioner believes, the first instance of the assumption of such powers by a Colonial Assembly, it would seem to be most expedient, for the security of public officers throughout His Majesty's Colonies, and for the faithful, upright, 141 dangcrcux dc lui continiicr den pouvoirs dont il a fuit usage d'linc manitirc aiissi arbitiaire ct aiissi pcu juHtifiublc. (>°. Puree qii'a In ditu Election dii dit lieu du Sore), lo dit James Sttiart, Ecuycr, I'rocurciir-Gt'iicral de colte Province, en oiiKngcant certains Elcctciiri qui n'otaiunt pusqiialifi s a prcndie Ics sermons ordinaiics en ces occasions, qiioi- qu'il sut que ces individus n'avaient pas Ic droit de voter, s'est rendu coupablu de subornation de parjure. Eniln, Puree que la conduitc du dit James Stuart, Kcuyer, Procurcur-G<''- neral de cettc Province, dc|niisplusicurs anm'es, u attir6 sur {'Administration de la Justice Crimincllc en cc Pays, le de.Nlionneur ct lo mi'pris ; qii'il s'est rendu coupabic deCirands Crimes ct Debts; qu'il scst privc dc touteespccc d'estime et dc confiance dans I'csprit des Ilubitans de cettc Province, ct que ce nc pourrait etre qu'au di'trimentdu fJouvcrnement de Sa Miijestc en cettc Province qu'il pourruit occuper aucunc place dc confiance en icel'e. Avantdeprocudcr i\ donncruncreponso distinctn en ditaii h I'imputation dc chacimc de ces offenses allcguces I'uno apriis I'autre, le Petitionnaire demamlera la liberte derappelcr en pcudemots dcs considerations qui iui purais>cnt itrc du la plus haute importance, conccrnant la manicre de proct'der qua ainsi ndoptt'c PAssembl^e du Uas-Canada, la nature de quelques-uncs dcs otflnses alieguueset la forme dans laquelleellessont toutcs imputues uu Petitionnaire. II scmble au Petitionnaire que la Chambre d'Assemblte par son adressc a SaMajeste n'u prnduit aucunc .ccusation d'ir.conduite otficielle contre Iui, u la- quelle il soit requis de repondre, et sur laqueliu on dcmande une ditermination, apt'. '. I'investigation rcquise. Mais s'arroj^eant a elle-mcmc, a ce qu'il paraitrait sur ies depositions exparte d'individus, faites en I'absencc de la partie accusi'e en secret, et non sous serment le pouvoir de convaincre un Officier Public non seulement d'Actes d'inconduitc ofHcielle, mais memc d'offenscs cri- niinelles, qui sent de la competence exclusive des Cours de Justice ; PAssemblde par son adresse demande que Ic Petitionnaire soit puni, fcomme s'il y avail eu une conviction r^gulicre d(?terminant sa culpabilite. En consid(!'rant I'adresse sous ce point de vue, I'Assemblee a pris le ca- ract^re ct Ies fonctions de Jugcs, de m6nie que ccux d'accusateur, a I'egard des m£mes accusations ; elle s'est convertie en Cour de Justice pour des offenses criminelles, dont Ies trib;|ii)S('(l, w uuld enter into tlio puhlic s rvicCi tho t'.iithfid and honest dis('l)argc ofotlii'i.il duties cuiihl nut he cxpiirti.'d, nor could colonial govcrninv.'iits couthiuu to subsist. If, however, the Address of the Assembly is to be considered, not ns iin< porting a conviction of alleged offences, which appeals to bo its truo character, but us tiie exhibition of charges whiih tlic Petitioner is called t>pon to answer, the natine of the dliargcs as well as the form in which they arc conveyed, ni ces- sarily demands attention, 'i'hc charges, the Pelitiuner hiitnbiy apprehends, must be snch as it is comnetent to the Assembly to prefer, and they ou;>ht to contain a sullieient specification of facts to admit of an answer, (.'onccding to the Ah- sendily the right of preferring complaints and accusations against public olliccrs who ahtise the trust confided to them, these cuinplaints and accusations, the Pe- titioner also apprehends, must be restricted to ac's of olHi iai misconduct, and can- not embrace offences cognizable by Coin ts of Law, in lespcct of which the As. sembly can exorcise no jurisdiction whatever. Two of the offences specified in the addiess arc of tho latter description, - acts of violence at an election, amounting, it is to be presumed, to breaches of the peace, and subornation of pcijuiy. For charging the Pctiti(mer with these oflences, the shadow of a cause. as will bo presently shown, was not afforded by him ; but, if he had been puilty of these offences, lie could only be made amenable to justice for them, b dictmoiit and trial in a Court of Law, in like manner as all other His Majesty's )y Ill- subjects in Lower Canada would be. — Instead, not only of entertaining juris- diction of these offences, but actually convicting the Petitioner of thom, the fit course to have been pursued by the Assembly, if sufficient cause for it had been laid before them, would have been, tlic !*etitioncr apprehends, by address to the Governor, to have prayed that he would direct prosecutions for these offences to be instituted and carried on, by one of the Law Officers of the Crown, in the competent tribunal, in due legal course. In the charges of the Assembly, as in those proceeding from individuals, it would seem to be indispensably necessary lor the purposes of justice, that a sufficient degree of particularity should be used to convey information to the person accuserl, of the specific facts on which his criminality or culpability is predicated. Without such a speoification, giving certainty to the charge, he cannot be apprized of the facts to be proved on the one side, and disproved on the other, and cannot, therefore, be pre pared to defend >liimself. In all the alleged or supposed offences imputed to the Petitioner, by the address of the Assembly, he has reason to complain of the absence of any such specification, from which the facts rendi ring him criminal, or culpable, could be known. This will be made apparent, by reference to the heads of offence, as stated in the ad- dress. The fust and last heads of offence contained in the address being charged, it is to be presiimeii, merely as infereuecs from those of a more specific nature, need not be adverted to, as objectionable, on the ground of generality. Under the second head of offence, the Petitioner conceives it would have been fit and proper that a specification should have been ce- dent. Kn cH'ft, Awc III pci-!«peciive dc i'cxcrcicf de poiivciirH dc la nutiire dc coux ()iic H'cst nrrogi ■ rAMcmlili u dii has.Caiiada, duiiR cc can, un iic '•uiirnit Miippu- Rcr quo des lioinincH dc incritc (liunourabio iiicu) vouluiscnt ciitrcr dun;* Ic service puhlic. qu'on piit cspcrcr iiiic execution fidMcot honnrte de;) devoirs ofHcicN, ou que leH (louvcrncmcns Coloiiiuux pusscnt «c niaintciiir. Si cepciidaiit on cunsidcru que TAilreiHu dc TAsscinblic iiccomporte pn!t iinc conviction dcs oHenncs alk'^uco, cc nui |)uruit en (' tre le vrai carnctere, nmin coiumc unc production d'accus itions auxquelles Ic ri'titiunnaire est appelr i\ rrpnndre, la nature des accusations, dc mPmc que la forme dans laqueilc elles sunt preseiiti'cs, (lemando nrccsauiremciit unc attention sn-ieusc. Lcs accusations, coinine le I'c- titionna'rc Ic con9oit huinblemcnt, doiventttrc tclles ii pouvoir (tre compi tcni< nicnt purt^cs par i'AsBuinbU'C, cllcs doivent coiitenir une sp cilication de (aits du nature h admcttrc une rcponsc. Concedunt a rAsiemblec Ic droit de t'airc den [)lainte8 et dcs accusations contre les Otticiers publics qui abusent dcs charii^es qui euront it^: conhcbs, ccs plaintesctces accusations, i\ ce que pens." aussi lo I'cti* tionnairc, doivunt BC borncr aux Actes d'inconduitc odiciello, ct ne peuveiit eni> brasaer dcs offenses qu'il entrc dans les attributions dcs tribunaux judiciairci de connaitrc, a IV-gard ucsquellcs I'Asscmbh'e ne pent cxcrcer aucune iurisdicLion uuelconque. DcccttccspilccKont deux dos dilenses spccitices dans I Adres .c, Actes dc violence it unc (-lection, nilant, a cc qu'on pout pnsumcr, jusqu'au trou- ble de la paix publique, ct subcrnation dc parjurc. Lo pititionnairc, comme on va Ic voir, n'apasdonn£ m6me I'ombrc de cause h I'accusor dc ces otlcnses ; niais s'il sY'tait rendu coupablo dc ces offenses, il no pouvaitc'trcamen(> A justice quo par accusation et nroct'8 dans unc Cour dc Justice, de la nicme maniirc que tons les autres sujcts de Ha Majesty dans Ic Das-Canada. Au lieu dc 8'arro<;er jurisdico tion sur ces offenses, etdo plus d'cn convaincre de fait lo pititionnairc, la voie qu'il convcuait ii I'Assemblee ({'adopter, s'il eut M. mis dcvant cause suffisante 'i cet eflfet,aurait^t<''seIon le pititionnairc, de demander au Gouverneur.par udresse.d'or- donncr aux ofHciers en loi dc la Couronnc d'intentcrct de conduiru dcs poursuites devant )e tribunal connpctent, dans le cours ordinaire de la loi. Dans les accusations de I'Assemblee, comme dans celles qui procitdcntd'in- dividus, ilscutbleraitetre de n^cessite indispensable pour les fins de la justice, qu'ellcsfiisstMUlibitllt'es assez en detail pour faire connaitrc iWaccuse dcs faits particulieiii sur linquels on base sa criminalitu ou culpability. Sans une telle sp(!-. cification qui rende certain le sujetde I'accusation, il ne pent savoir quels soiu les faits qui doivent t!tre prouves (I'un cAtii et rcpoiissi's de I'autrc, et ne pcut par consi-quent <^tre en etat de se dcfendre. Dans toutes les offenses all^guees ou sup- |)Os^es imputees au Petitionnaire par I'adresse de I'Asscmbli^'c, il a raison de sc plaindre de I'absence d'une specification telle a iui faire connaitrc les fait.; qui le rendent criminal ou coupable. C'est ce qui paralfra evident, en parcouiunt aux chefs d'accusation, tels qu'ils sont articulcs dans I vdresse, Lc premier et le der- nier chefs d'accusation'contcnus dans I'adresse n'« tant faits, comme on doitlc pr6- sumer, que comme de simples inductions de ceu\ d'une nature plus speciale, il n'est pas besoin d'en parler, attendu qu'ils tombent d'eux-mi^mes, ;\ cause quils vont con^ !s en termes trop gincraux. Sous b second chef d'accusation, le Fc;ti- tionnaire i :on9oit qu'il efit fte converiuble et a propos de sp^cihcr lcs poursuites particuli6rcs qui, ;\ ce qu'on pretend, .mraient dil etre port^es aux Sessions Tri- inestrielleB, et qui ont ^te inconvenablement portecs a la > Cour du Banc du Koi. Sous le troisiferoe chef d'accusation, le Petitionnaire pense qu'il aurait ct^ n^cessnire «t 4 propos de specifier les diverges poursuites qu'on pr^ltend avoir 6t& injustes et sans fondemcnt, pour le m«ttre en ^tat de r6pondre. Sous le quatri^tne chef d'ac- cusation, on aurait du, ce seinble, donner le noms des Electeurs qu'on dit avoir it6 intimides par des menaces et des actes de violence, de rr.6me que les noms des personncs f ■mi 144 impunity, it is alleged, was offered, it is presumed, ought to have been intro' duced. Under the fifth head of offence, the names of the individuals charged with perjury, whom the Attorney General, it is alleged, refused or neglected to prosecute, it is humbly conceived, ought to have been specified. Under the sixth head of offence, which is a disgraceful misdemeanor, indictable at Common Law, iind cognizable in His Majesty's Courts of Justice, it was of indispensable necessity, not only with a view to the adoption oi any measures to be grounded on it, but in common justice and fairness to the party accused, that the names of the persons who, it is supposed, were suborned to commit perjury, should have been specified. Upon this statement it is sufficiently plain, that, if the Address of the As- sembly is to be considered as containing charges which the Petitioner is called upon to answer, there is an absence of the requisite specification of facts, to as- certain the precise offences with which he is charged, and to enable him to defend himself. But, however defective the address, viewed as an exhibition of char- ges, may be, in this respect, and however considerable and unreasonable the disadvantages to which the Petitioner is hereby subjected, it wbuld, nevertheless, ill comport with the consciousness of perfect innocence on his part, to abstain, on this ground, from entering into a full justification of his condupt, as to all the matters referred to by the Assembly. — To enable him to do so, and for the pur- pose of supplying the particulars which are not to be found in the address of the Assembly, he must necessarily advert to a docunitnt which, otherwise, he conceives it would be improper to notice, and ought to receive no consideration- He refers to a Report of tlie Committee of Grievances, which, in an address of the Assembly to the Governor of the Province, on the twenty sixth March last, is called, " A copy of the evicience received by the Committee of Grievances, on the subject of the matters of complaint set forth in the Petition of divers in- habitants of tlie City of Montreal, complaining of t1ie conduct of James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General," and which, by that address, the Assembly prayed might be transmitted and laid at the foot of the Throne. This document con- tains the cj: parte statements of individuals, not under oath, examined as wit- nesses before tlie Committee, in the absence of the Petitioner, and without cross, exaiiiinatioi), or opportunity for cross-examination, on his part, — and these statements arc denominated evidence. Prom the description of persons examined before the Committee, being, exclusively as to all the material points of evidence, individuals rendered inimical to the Petitioner, by the discharge of his public duties, and w'o were under feelings of resentment and revenge towards him, and other strong motives urging to misrepresentation and falsehood, as well from the partial aid nuiiilated maimer in which these statements, it would appear,* were received ami reduced to writings this document is liable to- objections pe- culiar to itself. — But the Petitioner, at this moment, is desirous of noticing it, merely in its general character, as containing e-j pnr/e statements of witnesses, to ground an accusation against a public officer. In this character, its office, the Petitioner apprehends, is limited to the purpose of accusation, it cannot consti- tute evidence for the purpose of conviction ; it stands on the same footing as evidence taken before a Giand Jury, though inferior in degree to the latter, as not having been given under oath, but equally inadmissible to prove guilt, as having been given in an ea' ptirle proceeding, in the absence of the party ac- cused, and without any opportunity for cross-examination on his part. — In prin- ciple, therefore, the Petitioner deems it an incumbent duly to protest against this document, as containing no admissible evidence to establish the truth of thj chargt s of the Assembly. At the same time, in the peculiar situation in which he is placed, and without any sufficient specification of the imputed of- * Vide offidaTits of W, Oreen, Esquire, and A. Von Iffland, Esquire, Noa. 8 and 5 in Appendix, fencci 145 personncs auxquelles on dit qu'on avait promis I'impunit^. Sous le cinqui^me chef d'accusation, je con9ois humblcment qu'on aurait du inclure les noms des personnes accus6es de parjtire que le Pi'ocureur>Gen(!'ral, i\ ce qu'on avance, a refus6 ou neglig£ de poursuivro. Sous le sixieme chef d'accusation, qui pr6- tsente un ddlit fletrissant, dont celui qui s'en rend coupable est sujet k etre poursuivi d'apr^s le Droil Commun, et dont connaissent les Cours de Justice de Sa Majeste, il £tait de ni!-cessitu indispensable, non seulemcnt pour I'adoption d'aucune mesure fondee sur cette ofletise, mais en justice et par franchise pour la partie accusee, de donner les notns des personnes qu'on suppose avoir ^te su« born^es a coinmettre un parjure. D'aprtis cet expose il est suffisamment clair que si Ton doit consid(f'rer I'adresse de I'Assemblee comme contenant des accusations auxquelles le Pc'ti- tionnaire est appele a ri-pondre, il y a absence de la spi^-cification de faitsnc^ces- sairepour connaitre les offenses precises dont il est accus^', et'pour le mettre en ^tat de se d.fendre. Mais, quelque defectucuse que soit I'adresse, consider^e comme unc exposition d'accusations, et quelque grands et irraisonnablcs que soient les dijsavantages auxquels le Fttitionnairc est par la expost', il sierait peu neanmoins avec la conscience qu'il a de sa parfaiteinnocence, de s'austenir pour cette raison d'entrer dans une pleine justification de sa conduite, quant a toutes les matieres dont I'assemblee fait mention. Pour le mettre en 6tat de le faire, et pour fournir les details qui nesetrouvent pi us dans I'adresse de I'Assemblee, ildoit n^cessairement parler d'un document qu'autrement il penserait inconvcnable de meniionncr, et qui ne devrait receyoir aucune consideration. Ilrenvoici\ un rap- port du Comit6 des Griefs qui, dans une adresse di I'Assemblee au Gouver- neur de la Province, le vingt-six Mars dernier, est appelo " Copie des Temoi- gnages re9us au .snjet des matieres de plaintes articple'es dans la Petition de di- vers habitansde la cit6 de Montr 'al, se plaignant de la conduite de James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-Gen^ra! ;" I'Assembiee demandant par cette adresse qu'il fikt transmiset mis an pied dutr6ne. Ce document contient les depositions exparte d'individus, non assermentes, interrogcs comme ti'moins devant un Comit^, en I'-ibsence du Petitionnaire, et sans qu'ils fussent transquestionu^s de sa part ni qu'on cut donn6 occasion de !e fairc ; et ce sont ces depositions, qu'on appelle t^moignages ou preuve (Evidence.) D'apr^s I'espfice des personnes qui ont iti interrog^'cs devant le Comite, qui etaient exclusivement, quant aux points essen- tials de la preuve, des individus qui^taient devenus ennemis dupc-titionnaire par suite de I'ex^-cution de sesd^^voirs publics, et qui Etaient sous I'influence de senti. mens dehaine et de vengeance i\ son ('gard,et d'autrespuissans motifs qui les ex- citaient h faire de fausses representations, autant que d'apres la mani^re partiale et mutilee dont il parait * que ces depositions ont et6 prises et coucheespar ecrit, ce document prete ^ des objecLions qui luisont particuli^res. Mais le Peti- tionnaire ne desire, en ce moment, en parler que sons le rappoitdeson caract^re general, comme contenant les d.'-positions exp'irte de t^moms, sur Jesquels on a base une accusation contre un otiicier public. Dans ce caract(;re, le Petition- naire pense qu'il ne pent servirqu'aux fins d'une accusation, et ne peut consti- tuer uhe preuve pour les fins d'une conviction ; il est sur le mume pied que les t^moignages pris devant un Grand Jury, quoique moins fort que ces derniers, at- tendu qu'il n'a pas ete donnd sous serment, mais ^galement inconduisible pour prouver la culpability, comme ayant kih pris dans une procedure erparte^ en I'ab- sence de la partie accusde, et sans aucune occasion pour lui de faire des tranjques- tions. En principe done, le Petitionnaire se croit oblige de protester contre ce document ; comme ne contenant aucune preuve admissible pour dtablir la verite des accusations de I'Assembiee. En m£me temps, dans la situation particuli^re dans laquelle il se trouve placee, et sans une spijcification suflSsante des offenses qui lui sont impulses dans I'adresse, pour le mettre en ctat de repondre aux accu- • Voir I«t AffidaTiti deW. Oreen, Eeajcr, ct de A. Voo Ifflaod, Eeayir, Nm. 8 & S dau I'ApiMBdioe. T satioo ■•/ f : 1 ,-t- 1 *■ 146 M '.- ■:'• I: V fences in the address, to enable him to answer and disprove the charges of the Assembly, he is unavoidably compelled to refer to this document, to supply the facts and circumstances that as certain what the impnted offences really are ; while, for the purpose of establishing his innocence, it is equally necessary to refer to it, in order to prove the falsehood and insufficiency of the statements on which the address of the Assembly has been grounded. Availing themself therefore of this document, for both these purposes, he will now proceed to show, that the offences imputed to him in the address of the Assembly have not been committed by him, and that no cause whatever has been afforded for the imputation of them. On the first head of offence, no observation is necessary, it being too general to admit of any answer. On the second head of offence, the petitioner will beg leave to remark that it is singular that even, upon the slightest inquiry, it should have been supposed by the House of Assembly, that there was cause for imputing offence or blame to the petitioner, '• for persisting in prosecuting fas it is alledged) before the " superior tribunals, persons accused of minor offences, which ought to have been " prosecuted at the Quarter Sessions of the Peace." Persons at all conversant with the constitution and proceedings of the Criminal Courts in Lower Canada, are perfectly aware, that it has always been, and continurs to be, the duty of the Attorney General, to prosecute before the Superior Tribunal, as it is called by the Assembly, that is, before the Court of King's Bench, such persons as are in custody charged with the offences which, by the Assembly, are denominated " minor offences." This duty is derived from thepowers with which the Court of King's Bench is vested, and which it has always exercised. Under the system of judicature established in Lower Canada, a Court of King's Bench sits twice a year, in each of the districts of Quebec, Montreal, and Three Hivers, for the trial of all crimes and criminal offences whatsoever. At these times, the Courts of King's Bench, in the several districts, execute the powers and perform the functions of Courts of General Gaol Delivery, in which all persons being in custody are entitled ex debUo,jusM(B, to be prosecuted and tried. The Attorney General of Lower Canada always has been, and continues to be, charged with the duty of instituting and conducting criminal prosecutions before the Courts of King's Bench. Hence he becomes auxiliary to these Courts in the execution of their office as Courts of General Gaol Delivery ; and it is alike incumbent on him to prosecute, as it is on the Courts' themselves to entertain the prosecution , of, all persons in custody for criminal oflences, whatever may be the nature of these offences, from the highest to the lowest. It has been therefore, in execution .of the law of the land, that the offences referred to by the Assembly have been prosecuted in the Courts of King's Bench, not only by the petitioner, but by all his predecessors in office, without exception ; and, as well before as since the petitioner came into office, no term of these Courts has passed over, in which prosecutions for the offenqes termed by the Assembly '• minor offences" have not been in- stituted and carried on by the Attorney General, for the time being. The peti- tioner, therefore, has been convicted by the Assembly of alledged "malversation in ■office' for having done that which it was his bounden duty to do, and for the omission of which he would have been really culpable ; and to this supposed offence, consisting in the right and proper discharge of public duty, it has pleased the Assembly, without any reason whatever, gratuitously, to annex the imputation of a "sordid'' motive. The Petitioner will now beg leave briefly to advert to the evidence on which it would appear that the Assembly proceeded, in thus erroneously converting the discharge of an important public duty into an offence. The principal witness examined on this head was a Mr, Jacques Viger, Road Surveyor at Montreal. Among the number of criminal prosecutions instituted by the Petitioner, which the sur ]{ ment moin Mon 147 sations deVAssemblee et de les repousser, il se trouve in^vitablement forc6 de r^'f6rer k ce document, pour trouver les faitset les circonstances qui ^tablissent ce que sont r6ellenient les offenses impulses ; tandis que, pour ^tablir son inno* cence, il est egalement necessa're d'y r^firer pour prouve. la fausset^ et rinsuffi* sance des exposes sur lesquels I'adresse de I'Asseniblte a <>tefondde. Profitant done de ce document pour I'une et I'autre de ces fins, il va mainte- nantproc^der k niontrer que les offenses quHui onl. <:te imputees dans I'adresse de I'Assembl^e n'ont pas ^t^ commisespar liii, etqu'il n'a donno aucun lieu u I'im- putationd'iceux. Sur le premier chef d'accusation, il n'est besoin d'aucune observation, attcn* du qu'il est trop general pour admettre aucune rdponse. Sur le second chef d'accusation, le Petitionnaire demandera qu'il lui soit per- misde remarquer qu'il est singulier que m^me sur In plus It-gure investigation, la Chambre d'Assemblee ait suppos6 qu'il y avait lieu a imputer une offense* ou du bldme au Petitionnaire " pour peraister i\poursuivre (comm ; on I'avancej devant *' les tribunaux sup6rieurs des personnes nccus^es d'offenses mineures, qui auraient " dft 6tre poursuivies aux Sessions Trimestrielles de la Paix." Les personnes qui connaissent tant soitpcu la constitution ct les precedes dcs Cours Crimineiles du Bas-Canada, saventtr^s-bien, qu'il a toujours ^t6 et qu'il continue d'etre du de- voir du Procureur-G^n^ral, de poursuivre devant les Tribunaux Superieurs, comme les appelle I'Assemblee, c'est-^-dire, devant la Cour du Banc du Roi, les personnes ^crou^es, qui sont accusees des offenses que I'Assmblee appelle "offenses I . -es." Ce devoir derive des pouvoirs dont est revfitu la Cour du Banc du • .. . -. qu'elle a toujoiirs exerces. Sous le systeme de Judicature ^tabli dans le ^- ^ .inada, il si^gedeux fois par ann^e une Cour du Banc du Roi, dans chacun des districts de Quebec, de Montreal et des Trois Rivieres, pourfairele proems de tous les crimes ct offenses crimineiles quelconqucs. Dans ces occasions, les Cours du Banc du Roi, dans les divers districts, cx^cutent les pouvoirs et rem- plissent les fonctions des Cours de D^livrance G^n^rale des Prisons, dans les> quellesles personnes qui sont en prison ont droit, ex dehitujustitia, d'etre pour- suivieset d'avoir leur proems. Le Procureiir- General du Bas-Canada a toujours ^te et continue d'etre charg6 du devoir d'intenter et de conduiredespourjuite8crimi> nelles devant K s Cours du Banc du Roi. Del.\ il devient I'aaxiliaire de ces Cours dans I'ex^cution de leurs fonctions de Cours de D^livrance General des Prisons ; et il est aussi oblige de poursuivre, comme les Cours elles-m^mes sont obligees de procederala poursuite de toutes ies personnes detenues pour offenses crimineiles, quelle que soit la nature de ces offenses, depuis la plus gr.ive jusqu'u la plus petite. C'a done ^t6 dans I'execution de la loi du pays que les offenses mentionn([>es par I'Assemblee ont ^te poursuivies dans les Cours da Banc du Roi, non seulement par le Petitionnaire, mais par tous ses predecesseurs en office, sans exception ; et avant comme depuisque le Petitionnaire est en otiice, ilnes'estpass^ aucun terme decesCours.danslequelle Procureur-Gen^ral, pour le temps d'alors, n'aitintente ct conduit des poursuites pour les offenses que I'Assemblee appelle " offenses mi- neures." Le petitionnaire done a et6 convaincu de " malversation en office" [iretendue, pour avoir fait ce qu'il 6tait de son devoir imp^rieux de faire, et pour 'omission de cjuoi il aurait ete vraiment coupable; et a cette offense supposee, consistant de rexecution rcguliere et convenable d'un devoir public, il a p!u a I'Assemblee d'annexer, sans aucune raison quelconque, I'imputation de motif " sordide." Le Petitionnaire demandera maintenant a parler en peu de mots dc In preuve sur laquelle il paraitrait que I'Assemblee a precede en convcrtissant ainsi errone* ment en une offense I'execution d'un devoir public important. Le principal t6- moin examine sur ce point a6te un M. Jacques Viger, Inspecteur des chemins a Montreal. Au nombre des poursuites crimineiles intentees par le Petitionnaire, dont ;:i l^^ 148 ri ]■■ the Political party, vhose enirity he thereby incurred, has tnade a subject of complaint, were indictments against a Mr. Stanley Bagg, for a nuisance, and against this Mr. Jacques Viger, as Road Surveyor, for non-feasance of duty, in having neglected to abate the same nuisance, whirh, by the provisions of a Sta- tute, as well as by the express orders of the Magistrates, in Special Sessions, he was required to abate.* These prosecutions, than ivhich none more le^al could be instituted, were loudly clamoured against by Mr. Viger and his pa'ty. as an infringe' ':5t of law and justice, and the Court of Oyer and Terminer, in which the indi: ...jents were found, was represented to the country, as having illegally and oppressively assumed a jurisdiction which did not belong to it, by entertain- ing these Indictments. Mr. Viger, who, in making this unfounded clamour, was evidently very ill informed respecting the jurisdiction and powers of a Court of Oyer and Terminer, appears not to have been better informed respecting the duties* of the Attorney General of Lower Canada, though equally disposed to find fault with both ; and it is not uncharitable to suppose, that, on this latter head, the feelings excited in his mind by the Indictments against Mr. Bagg and himself may have contributed t'" blind his judgment. His error in this instance, however, has become of much greater importance th?n the errors of a person moving in his sphere could be expected to acquire. In other countries, the er- rors of a Road Surveyor, in plain matters of law and government, it is not likely woulr' be adopted, as the determination of a legislative assembly. In Lower Canada it is otherwise: Mr Viger is connec'ed with the leaders in the House of Assembly, and his error has become in effect, it would appear, through his re- presentations, the error of the Committee of Grievances, and, through that Com- mittee, the error, also, of the House of As$;embly itseii. Being a member of the Grand Jury, in March Term, 1830, Mr. Viger, it seems, became impressed with the belief that a number of the Indictments laid before the Jury at that time were improperly brought before them, and ought to have been prosecuted in the Quarter Sessions ; he therefore, in a spirit of zeal for the public interest, as he would intimate, took notes of all thess Indictments, that he might be the better enabled, afterwards, to disclose what took place in the secrecy of the Grand Jury Room. The benefit of these notes he afforded to the Committee of Grievances, and it is this sup.iosed important disclosure of Mr. Vige." (singular to mention!) which constitutes the principal evidence, on this head of supposed offence. Now, these notes of Mr. Viger, however valuable they may have been deemed by him, so far frosn establishing that, in preferring the Indictments in question, the Petitioner acted improperly, lead to a directly contrary conclusion ; they demonstrate that it was his imperative duty to prefer them. Mr. Viger furnishes a list and description of Indictments, which he says ought to have been prosecuted in the Quarter Sessions; and he thence infers, that the Attorney General was culpable, in prosecuting th-^m in the Court of Kings Bench. But Mr. Viger from ignorance or inadvertence, does not appear to have been aware, that the duty of the Attorney General to prosecute these Indictments in the Court of King's Bench became more urgent, from the omission of the Clerk of the Peace to prefer similar Indictments in the Quarter Sessions ; and he seems also not to have perceived, that the Attorney General could not be censurable for the neglect cf that Officer to do his duty. According to the statement of Mr. Viger, two Quarter Sessions of the Peace (in October, 1829, and January, lUSO) had intervened since the commitment of some, and one Quarter Session of the Peace since the commitmeit of others, of the persons accused, before In- dictments were preferred against them, by the Petitioner in March, 1830. These persons, therefore, according to Mr. Viger's own statement, had been detained in cuslody fur several months after the period at which they ought to have been tried ; and at the opening of the March Term of the Court of King's Bench, • Vide Appcniiz to Report, (No. 16.) p. Si, had ^■ir 149 had dont le parti politique, dont il a par la encouru I'inimitie, a fi:it on sujet de plainte, setrouvaient des actes d accusation contrcim M.Stanley Baggf, pour nuisance, et contra ce M. Viger, comme In&pecteur des Chemins, pour omission de devoir, pour avoir n^glig^ d'abattrc la m^me nuisance, ce qii'il etait oblige de faire et par ies dispositions d'un Statut et d'apr^s lesordres exprcs des magistrats, en session speciale. * Aucuncs poursuites ne pcuvaient etre pins i^gales que celies-ln, cc- pendant elles excit^rent de fbitefi clameurs de la part de M. V^iger el dc son par> ti, comnie infraction delalui etde la justice, et la Courd'Oyer et Terminer dans laquelleils furent mis en accusation, flit representee au pays, comme s'itant ille- galement jtoppressi\ement arroge unejurisdiction qui n>^> lui appartenait pas en maintenant ces mises en accusation. M. Viger qui, en f'aisant ces clameurs non fondles, ctait ^videmment nial informe touchant la jurisdiction et Ies potivoirs d'une Cour d'Oyer et Terminer, parait n'avoirpas ^t6 mieux instruit des devoirs du Procureur-G^neral du Bas-Canada, quoiqu'il fi'it ^galement disposea jeter du blilme sur I'une etsur I'autre ; et ce n'est pas manquer de charite que de suppo> ser que, sur ce dernier point, Ies sentimens qu'ont exciti^ dans son esprit Ies actes d'accusationportescontre lui et jVi. Bagg, peuventavoircontribu^a obscurcir son jugement. Cependant son erreur dans cette occasion, est devenue de bien plus grande importance, qu'un n'aurait pu I'attendre des erreurs d'une personne de sa sphere. Dans d'autres pays Ies erreurs d'un Inspecteur de Chemins, sur devraies inatieres de droit et de Gouvernement, ne seraier^^^ vraisemblablement pas adoptees comme la determination d'une Asse.nblee legislaiive. Dans le BasCanada, il en est auirement. M. Viger est Ii6 avec Ies meneurs de la Chambre d'Assemblee, etson erreur est devenue en effet, comme il paraitrait par ces representations, I'er- reur d'un Comit6 de Griefs, et par ce Comit6 1'erreur de la Chambre d'Assemblee elle-mfme. Etant membre du Grand Juri, dans le Terme de Mars 1830, M. Viger, il parait, conf ut lidee qu'un nombre d'actes d'accusation qui furent alors mis devant le Juri ^taient improprement port^s devant lui, et auraient dik 6tre poursnivis dans Ies Sessions Trimestrielles ;c'estpoiirquoi, dans un esprit de zele pour I'int^ret public, nomme il voudrait le faite entendre, il prit note de tons Ies actes d'accusation aiin qu'il flit mieux en ^tat, par la suite, de decouvrir ce qui se passa dans le secreC de la Chambre des Grands-Juri. II procura au Comite des Griefs I'avantage de ces notes, et c'est cette importante decouverte de M. Viger I chos^ singuli^re) qui constitue la principals preuve sur ce chefd'offense suppos^e. Maintenant ces notes de M. Vi^er, quelque pr^cieuses qu'il Ies ait crues, bien d*^- tablirqueleP^titionnairecn pr^sentant Ics actes d'accusation en question.aitagi in- co'ivenablement, conduisent a une conclusion toute contraire ; elles font voir qu'il ^tait imp^rieusement de son devoir de Ies presenter. M. Viger fournit une liste et une description des actes d'accusation qui, selon lui, aurai^nt du etre poursnivis dans Ies Sessions Trimestrielles ; et il inf(^redel^, que le ' rrocureur-G^neral s'e- tait rendu conpable en Ies poursuivant dai.. !a Cour du Banc du Roi. Mais M. Viger^ par ignorance ou iiliadvertance, ne parait pas avoir su que le devoir du Proccreur-Gen^ral de poursuivre ces accusations devant la Cour du Banc du Roi etait devenu d'autant plus urgent que le Greffier de la Paix ometlait de pour« suivre de telles offenses devant le manicre meritoire ; et a I'egard de toutes les trois, on aurait pu se dispenser a. »'ette singuli^ie sur- veillance a laquelle il ^tait sujet, sans le savoir : Les autres temoins interrog(!'s sur ce chefdoffense devant le Comitd des Griefs, furent MM. Green, PerraultetDelisle,gref?iersdelapaix, etdeux d'entreeux gref- fiers de la Couronne en meme temps. Dans les depositions de ces Messieurs, il est fait mention de direction particulieres du Gouvernement Executif, dont lobjet etait de faire porter et de faciliter la poursuite de certaines oflt'enses dans les Ses- sions Trimestriclles. Ces directions provenaient d'un Rapport d'un Comit6 de toutle Co.. eil duSi Mai 182^, lequel contenaitplusienrsrecommandations, dans la vue les defenses publiques de I'administration de la justice, dans les causes cri- niinelles. Un des objets du rapport H&\t d'obliger les Grefiiers de la Paix A pour- suivrc, dans les Sessions Trimestrielles, les offenses crimineljes de la connaissance de cette Cour, lesquelles faute d'etre la poursuivies, lY'taient dans la Cour du Banc du Roi, a de plus grands frais. La recommandation du Comit6 surce der- nier point parait avoir ^te suivie dans le district de Quebec, mais dans le district de Montreal, par des circonstances qu'il n'est pas n^ces^sire de particulariser, elle ne I'a 6te que tr^s imparfaitement. De la la necessity, dans ce dernier district, de porter devant la Cour di; Banc da Roi des poursuites pour des offenses qui au- raient pu et dil £tre poursuivies dans les Sessions de Trimestre. Mais le remade a cela n'^tait pas d'inculpbr sans fondement le Procureur-G^n^ral, pour avoir fait son devoir, mais de forcer les Greffiers de la Paix de faire ce dont la lui du pays et les ordres du Gouvernement les avaient ^charg^s. L'attention de Son' Excellence, Sir '.fi , ',1j ' 1 • jkl£ 152 '■'■■; 1. ^ i< ': done his duty, but by compelling the Clerk of the Peace to discharge that i»hich the law of the land, and the directions of the government, had imposed on him. To this subject the attention of His Excellency Sir James Kempt, while he ad- ministered the government of Lower, Canada was drawn; and the Petitioner will beg leave to refer to his report* to his Excellency, in relation to it, aslate us the l3th August, 1830, from which it will appear evident that the remedy for the evil in question wa»to be found, in the proper discharge of the duty of the Clerk of the Peart. Before quitting this head of imputed oflTence, the Petitioner cannot omit to notice that Mr. Cireen, a gentleman of acknowledged character and probity, one of the witnesses Inst mentioned, on his examination before the Committee, it ap- pears, stated facts that might have rectified the erroneous view taken of this {subject, by the House of Assembly, and which entirely disproved this charge, as to the District of Quebec: yet these factS, it is to be regretted, were not re- duced to writing. It appears by the affidavit of Mr. Green that the material facts now referred to have been suppressed, in the report of evidence taken before tHe Committee, and that this was done by desire of a Member of the Committee (Mr. Lafontaine,) who stated it was not necessary to reduce that part of Mr. Green's evidence to writing. The Petitioner has already adverted to the inad- missibility of such evidence as that contained in the Keport of the Committee of Grievances, under any circumstances, to establish guilt. But when such muti- lation has occurred in the manner of taking it, its claim to credit for any purpose cannot but be considered most seriously affected. On the third head of offence, it is to he observed, that all the prosecutions for Libels, which have been carried on by the Petitioner, originated in Bills of Indictment fo*ind by the Grand Juries in the Districts of Quebec and Montreal : in no instance whatever has the Petitioner exercised the right of filing ex officio informations for libels. He is at a loss, therefore, to conceive on what ground he can be held criminal or culpable, for having been merely auxiliary to Grand Juries in the institution of these prosecutions, which are not to be considered as proceeding from him, but from the country itself, through that organ by which it is constitulional'y represented in such cases. These prosecutions, it is alledged by the Assembly, were " unjust and unfounded." Without enquiring into the constitutional right of the House of Assembly, to sit in judgment on the deci- sions of Grand Juries in finding Bills of Indictment, or the expediency or fitness of such an exercise of power by the Assembly, the Petitioner will beg leave to remark, that it does not appear, that either the Committee of Grievances, or the Assembly itself, had before it any materials whatever, by means of which it could be ascertained, whether the prosecutions complained of were unjust and unfound- ed, o'r not. Neither the Indictments in question, nor any of the evidence on which the Grand Juries proceeded in finding them to be true, nor any evidence what ever respecting the charges contained in them, were laid before the Committee, or the Assembly itself. So that the determination of the Assembly, that these prosecutions were " unjust and unfounded," appears to have had no other foun- dation than the will of the Assembly to declare them so : Sic volumus, sic jube- mus ; stet pro raiione voluntas. To this determination is opposed the legal and constitutional authority of Grand Juries, by which the prosecutions have been sanctioned, and declared to be well founded. Resting on such authority, these prosecutions, the Petiiioner apprehends, must be presumed to have had a legal, just, and sufficient cause, till the contrary may be established, by the verdict of a Jury. This mode (the only legal and satisfactory one,) of determining whether the prosecutions complained of were or were not " unjust and unfounded," the House of Assembly does not desire should be pursued; and the Defendants them- selves have never signified, or manifested, any wish for its adoption; nor are they * Vile Appendix, No. I. p. 24. likely [53 Sir James Kempt, fiitnttiri'e siir cesiijct, pcntliint q'l'il admiiiistiait Ic Goincinc* mcnt clu Has Canada ; ct le I'etitioniiairL' ilemaiideia la libt'itc dc retivoyrr i\ son Uapport • i\ Sou Excellence, a cet t gaid, diis Ic i:< Aoiit iHIiO, par le(|ucl on vena evidemnicnt que Ic rcmcdu uu nial en (]uc!ition ctait duns la dueex; cu< tion des devoirs du Grclfierdela Paix. Avant dc quitter CO chef d'oftunse imputi'o, le Pe'titionnairene pent omcttre de rcmarqucr que M. (Jreen, Monsieur dun caractcre et d'une probitr recon- nus, iin des trmoins mcntionncs en dernier lieu, pendant son interiogatoire de- vant le Comite, rapporia, a ce qii'il paralt, des f.iits qui auraient pu rectifier I idio erronce que la Cliambre d'Assenihle ,• s'est f'ornu'e sur le sujet, et qui rcpotisscnt enti(ircment cettc accusation, quant au distiict de Quebec : cependant ces faits, chose ii regrctter, ne f'urent pas conclus par ecrit. Ilparait d'apres I'allidavit de M. Green que Ic. litsessenliels maintonant mentionnis out (te supprimts dans le rapport des tcmoignages pris dcvnnt le Comite, et que cela fut fiiit au di'sir d'un des membres du Comitr, (M. Lafontaine) qui dit qu'il n'etait pas mcessaire de coucher par t'critcctte panic du tenioignage de M. (Jrcen. Le I'etitionnaire a deji\ paric de I'inadmissibilitc d'une prcuvc de la nature de ceilc qui est contc- nue dans le Rapport du Comite des Grief's, sous t.|uelque ciiconstance que ce fut, pour ('tablii la culpabilite ; mais lorsqu'il y a (u une telle mutilation dans la priie de I'enquete, on ne pent s'empLclier de considt'rer qu'clle perd bcaucoiip de poids a quelqui: fin qu'ou la fasse servif, Sur letroisicme chef J'ofTeiiso, il est a rem.irquer, que toutes les poursuitcs pour libelles qui ont etc condiiites par le Petitionnaire, provenaient d'actes d'ac- cusations que Ics Grands Juris des Districts de Quebec et de Montreal avaient ap- prouves : dans aucun cas quelconque le I'etitionnaire u'a exercc le droit de produire ex officio des informations pour libelles. II ne pent done conces oir sur quel fondemcnt il peut etre tcnu crimiucl ou coupable pour navoirtte que I'auxi- liairc de Grands Juris dans I'institution de ces poursuitcs, qui ne doivent pas etre regardi'es comme venant de lui, mais dt) pays lui-meme, par I'organe par lequel il est constitutionnellement reprcsenle en pareils cas. Cos poursuitcs, a cc qu'alleguo I'Assembli'e, etaieut " injustes et non fondc-es." Sans m'enqui'- rirsur le droit constitutionnel de hi Chambre d'Assemblee, dc sit'ge'en jugement sur les decisions de Grands Juris en approuvant des actes d'accusation, ou sur l'ex|)cdience ou lu convenance d'un tel cxeicice de pouvoir par rAssembite, le Petitionnaire demandera la libertc de remarquer qu'il n'appert pas que ni le Comite des Griefs, ni la Chambre d'Assemblee, eussent devant eux aucuns mat^riaux quel- conqnesparlesquelsilspussentvoirsi ces poursuitcs ctaicut bien ou mal fondles. On nemit devant le Comite ni devant la Chambre d'Assemblee elle-meme ni lesaetes d'accusation en question, ni aucun des ttmoignages sur lesquels les Grands Juris les approuvcreRt,ni aucun temoignage quelconqueades accusations qu'ds contenaient. De sorte que b determination de I'Assemblee en declarant que ces poursuites of William Henry, or any other part of the Province, in the Assembly as now constituted, was not an object of the ambition of the Pe- titioner; and, if inclination had been consulted, he woidd have been a stranger to the elections for that Borough. But, on his receiving the appointment of Attorney General, it was intimated to him, that it was deemed proper that he should represent it, as his predecessors in office generally liad done. At the first election, therefore, which occurred after his appointment, he became a candi- date for the Borough, and at considerable personal expense, was elected. The Borough constituting part of the Seigniory of Sorel, which belongs to His Ma- jesty, the King's Agent for that Seigniory, on that as on other similar occasions, was relied on for the canvassing of the Borough. When a new election was about to take place in July, 18^7, the Petitioner placed the same reliance on the exertions of the Agent, as he had done at the previous election, and arrived at the Borough, only the day before the election. He then found that no commu- nication had been had with any of the Electors on his behalf, while active mea- sures, of which he had remained ignorant, had been used against him, and that all the influence and activity of a powerful political party, opposed to the then administration of the Colonial Government, and which is now dominant in the House of Assembly, would be exerted to prevent his election. This fact was verified at the opening of the election, the next day, as a large concourse of per- sons from distant parts of the country, including OfKcers of Militia, from Colo- nels down to Serjeants, Justices of the Peace, and other persons of influence, wholly unconnected with the Borough, were found ready to sustain the inte- rests of an adverse candidate. Among these there were also individuals of infe- rior condition, whose physical powers had evidently been put in requisition, to be used as circumstances might require. On the other hand, the Petitioner, per- sonally a stranger to the Borough, was absolutely alone and unsupported, ex- cept by some of the principal Inhabitants of the place. It is not to be supposed. • Vide Appendix, No. 16. therefore. 135 ilesii- qu'il fut ailopU' ; ct il n'cst yan vraisciiiMable quMi lu f.issciU. fnc rrponsc conclusive ct satisi'uisantc h cc cIicC d'oni'iise »• tromc ilonc, a ce que piLsumc liuniMcmcnt le pL'titionnuire, duns Ics nctcs d'acciisation ciix-iii'iiics. Mais pcnsant, cmnmc d It* sent en tniitc liuniilitr, quo sod a^unci' dans ccs poiir-iiitcs lion seulcmcht n'a pus I't^ rrimiiiullc ni cotipabie, inais nuritoiro, il nc ciiciclio pas a su nicttrc a I'ubri sous lautoiiU' cnnstitutionnclle do giands juris; il est l^n^t a les jiistiticrtoiis ct cliacun deux, par hi raisoii du lour ti' cessitr urgcntc, lorsqu'clks t'urcnt iiitcntccs, ct quVllcs out grandcmcnt conlribiic a anctcr Ics progris diidrsordrc, et A inaintenir I autoritc du pouvLrncnuiU de Sa Mujosic ct la tran(|uillit£ dc la Province, dans nn temps ou I'unc (itait attaquce cl I'autro misu endanger. II scrait aisc an pi titionnairc dc pronver ccttc iisscrtion, en entrant dans des details, ct dc montrcr en mime tomps la connexion qui sul)sistc cntro Ics dC'fendcurs dans ccs pourswites ct les individus qui par ieura travaux ct Icur inHuence ont pris une part saillantc dans Ics proci'dcs adopts centre Ic pc'tition- naire. Alais il nc croit pas quil soit apropos ni n 'cessaire de donner unc teilu ctendue a cc niemoire ; et surccchcf d'oflense impulio, il su Ijornera a demandcr la liberty de renvoycr a son rnp|,orl* au sujet dc ccs poursiiitcs, qu il jire'scnla a Son Kxccllencc, Sir James Kempt, pen de temps apris que celui-ci cut pris Ics rcnes du I'Adniinistration du Gouvcrnenicnt du Bas-Canada, et dont copiu est ci-annexee. II se Hatte huniblcmcnt que cc rapport fcra rcssortir le vra'i carac- tOrc des iioursuites en question, ct des raisons siiftisantcs pour justiticr sa conduitc a I'lgard d'icelles, de mime I juecellc des grands juris, qui ont trouv6 niatiorc a mitsO en accusation. Sur Ic-quatncme clicfd'uccusation, Ic p.'titionnairc demandc qu'il lui soit peraiis dVxposer qu'il est ndccssaire de donner quelqucs explications, afin qu'ori puissc s'cu former une idee juste. Co n'ctait pas uu objetd'ambitionpour Icpcli- tionnairc que dc reprcsenter le Bourgde William Henry, pas plus c)u'aucune autre partie dc la Province, dans 1' Assemble c Provincialo constiiuce telle qu'c lie lest, et si I'on eut consultC* son inclination, il aurait etc ctrangcr aux elections de co Bourg. Mais en recevant la nominauon de Procurcur Gc'ni'ral, on lui fit entendre qu'on jugeait a propos qu'il lu ri pr(!scnt;\t, comme I'avait fait gcncralcment ses pri'- dt'cesseurs en ottice. Ainsi k la premiere <':leclion qui se prcscnla apri;s sa nomi- nation, il devint Candidat pour ce Pourg, ct il fut ^U\ a jrrands frais pour lui. LeBourgfaisaut partie dc la seighcurie de Sorel qui apparticnt a SaMajeste, je me di/chargeai sur 1' Agent du lloi pour cette Seigneuric, dans cette occasion comme dans toute autre semblable, du soin de cbcrcber des voix pour I'tlection de ce Bourg. Une nouvelle (Election I'tantsur le point d'avoir lieu en Juillet 1S27, Ic petitionnaire se rep'osa encore sur les efforts do I'Agcnt, comme il I'avait fait a la premiere election, et n'arriva au Bourg que la vcillc du W lection. II trouva alors qu'on n'avait fait aucunc demarche aupr^s des electeurs en sa faveur, tandis qu'on ovait pris contre lui des mesures tris actives, those dont il etait restt! ignoiant, et que toute I'influeiicc et I'activitfi dim parti politique puissant, uppos6 alors a PAdministration du Gouverncment Colonial, et qui domine maintenaut dans la Chambre d'Assem'.dee, seraient cmidoycus pour empt'cher son election. Cost ce dont il eut la certitude a rouverturo de I'election, le lendemain, en voyant un grand concours de monde de parties ^loignees du pays, y compris des officiers de milice depuis des Colonels jusqu'a de.v sergens, , luges de Paix et autres personnes influentes, n'ayant aucune liaison avec le Bourg, prets h soutenirles interets d'un Candidat oppose, Parmi eux se trouvaient aussi des gens d'une basse classe, qu'on avait ^videmment amenes la pour so servir de leurs forces physiques selon que les circonstances pourraient le requcrir. De Pautrc cot^', le petitionnaire, personnelle.nent Stranger au Bourg, se trouvait absolument seul ctsansappui, aPexception de quelqucs-uns des principaux habitans dulieu. I 1 'V^ * Voir Appendicc, No. 16, ilKi, ' _.|^ « 156 therefore, n« nllcilpcd iintlcr this head of offence, that acts of violence, in rc»- traint of llic hei'tloiii of election, coiilil proceed from the IVtitioner, with the aid of four or live |)i'iiceal>ly diHpoH'd Hurgesses (tlie whole amount of the physi- cal force un his side) in oppo^ilion to hundreds of individuals tlitis collected to- gether, acting, besides, under tlif influence of strong nolitical excitement licigh- tendcd by national and religinus |)reiudicos, and exhibiting both power and incli- niilion to effect their purposes, without being scrupulous as to the means, on the other side. There is absolutely, therefore, and in the nature of things coidd not be, the slightest foinidation, or colour, for the imputation of acts of violence to the I'eiitioner; while un his part, he certainly had reason to entertain well- fiiiuuled appreheiiKions on this head. As little groinul is there also, for imputing to the Petitioner the use oi threat:^. In endeavouring in u very unequal contest, as to numbers, physical strength, and the em|)loyment of means, to sustain his interests as acuulidate, the I'etitiomr could have no reliance ( xcept on the cxc- culidii of the laws. In the exercise of rights derived from these, Iio did object to the admission of illegal votes; when such oaths were insisted upon, he did re- quire the oath of qualification to be administered ; and, when the want of right was evident, he did, ns far as opposing violence woiMd permit, caution the in- dividuals about to compromise tlumselves by taking the oath, against doing so ; lie did also represent to them (they being ignorant ami illerate persons) the pen- alties they would incur, and did inform them they would be prosecuted for Per- jury if they took the oath. But all this was done by him, as would have been done by any other candidate, under like circumstances; and, on his part, was the mere exercise of the essential rights of a candidate, without which he must have immediately renounced the contest. The urgent occasion there was for the caution he thus attempted to administer to some of the voters, and the expla- nations ho was desirous of aflbrding them, maybe sufficiently illustrated by re- ierring, by way of specimen, to three of the voters, viz: Antoinc Aussant, An- toinc Hus dit Cournoyer and I'Van9ois Vandal. The two former had executed deeds of gift of their property, in the Borough, to their children, without reser- ving any portion of the estate, in consideration of being lodged and fed by the ' Donees, or enjoying in their houses, what is vulgarly called in Lower Canada la fortune du pot, with the right also, in the case of Aussant, of insisting on a lije-tent, or pension tingare, in case of disagreement between the parties j and the latter claimed the right of voting under the will of a testator .v//V/ living. The Returning Officer (Mr. Crebassa,") who was also the Notary of the place, and iu that character had in his custodv the original deeds of gift and the will, was requested to put these men on their guard, when brought up to vote. It was on his refusal to do so, that the Petitioner interj osed, and endeavoured, but in- eflectually, to save them from the offence they were about to commit. He could with difficulty make himself heard, amidst the loud vociferations of the adverse candidate and his partisans, urging these men to take the oath, under the cir- cumstances now mentioned, of' which they were well aware ; and to vanquish their scruples, the adverse candidate gave them the strongest assurances that he would protect them against all cousefjucnces, and stand between them and harm. False swearing, with such attendant ciicumstances in the very face of the public, must be of lare occurrence ; and cases more deserving of prosecu- tion than these, it is presumed, could hardly occur : — Yet these are three of the cases, in which the Petitioner is held culpable for indicting the individuals ; and the explanations he attempted to give them respecting the offence they were about to commit, and the penalties annexed to it, have been called threats, in restraint of the freedom of election ! — Under this head of offence, the Petitioner is charged with having intimidated some of the Electors, while he promised im- punity to others. This allegation is altogether untrue, and destitute of any the alightest foundation. It is derived from misrepresentation of facts which really occurred qu'if 157 II n'«'»t done pan \ mipposcr, coinmu il est allrjjii^' sons cc chef (rncciisation, que dcs iicli'Ji (le violence tcnd.mt a goner la libuit'' do i'oloction, jinssciit vonir dii pi titioiiiiaiic, iippiiye duquatreoii cinq hoiirgooi* paiHiblo.i. (([iii fornirtiont tontc lo foice pliysi(|iicdo son cutf,) en ojiposition a dos lontaincs de porsonni » ainsi ru!4Sond)li 0!t, ngiRsant. en uiitio, sous I'intluoncu d'uno forte irritation politique, ecliaiiiroos do pn'iiiges nuiionunx et roligioiix. ct montrant ct la force it fincii. nation ileparveiiir a lours (ins, sans otre trop r.criq)uIoiix sur los nioyons, do laiitro rotr. Ci nsi (piemnioiit il \\'y a done p is absoimnoni, et dans la naliirudos clioses il no pouvait y avoir, lo moindre fond, niont on pr( toxte i iinputor iui |.olitioiiti.iiro des notes de violence, tandis <|no, dc son onto, il avait assiirtnient a rraindrc justcniont sons ce rapport. Ce n'ost pas avoc pins do raison non plus ■, 'on accuse le potitionnaire d'avoir fail usage do inonat es. Dans scs efforts \ .«(• ,: .lir scs iituots comnio Caiididat, dans uno contestation inegnlocpiant an nomlirc, i\ Itt force physique eta I'enipioi dcs moyons, lo pt'titioiiiiairc no so reposait que 8iir rexicution ilcs Lois. Dans i'oxcicicc do dro-'s decouiant iW' ccs ioii^, il objocta a raduiission des voles iilc'gaux, lorsquon in itait a donncr do to's votes, il rcqui rait la pri station du serment rh; qualirication, et lorsqne Ij manque do droit do voter etait (vident, il avertit autant quo lo Iui permit la coruluite violciitc du partio opposr, les gens qui allaiont s'exposcr en p'-'tanl Ic SLrnunt, do no Ic pas faire; il knr rcprt.senta aussi (cos gens d;. it igno is ct ill les pinalit(S auxquellcs ils sovposoraioiit, ct il Ics prevint qu'ils s > pouisuivis poiir paijure, s'ils pritaient le SLvmcnt. Mais il no fit or ;\; a •«-S,/ icnt quo CO qu'amait fait tout autre Candidat dans les memos circonstanccs ; et ce nY'tait do sa part que rexcrcicc do droits cssentiels d'un Ca .'ulat, sans quoi il Iui aurait fallu immddiatemcnt renonccr a hi contestation, I c bosoin ur- gent qu'il y avait de mettre ainsi sur leur gardo qiielques mn dcs voteiirs, etdes explications qu'il disirait donner, apparaitra suffisaniment en rofiiant, par cxenq)lc, a trois des voteurs, savoir: Anloinc Aussant, Antoinc llus dit Cour- noycr et Franvois Vandal. Les deux premiers avaicnt fait donation dc lours biens, dans le 13ourg, i\ lours cnfans. sans se n' server aucune panic dc la propri. etc, h la charge d'etre nourris et logcs par les donataires, on cic jouir dans lours maisons ce que dans le Bas-Cnnada on appellc vulgairement <« Jin tune du pot, avec le droit aussi dans le cas d'Anssant, de demander iine pension viagorc, en cas de mt'sintelligcnce entre les parties; ct Ic dernier roclamait le droit de voter en vertu d'un testament dont le testataire vivait encore. LOfHcior Kapportiur (M. Crebassa,) qui 6tait aussi le Notaire du lieu, ct qui en ccttc qualite avaicnt par de vers Iui los minutes des donations ct du testament, fut prie de mettre ces gens sur Iciirs gardes, lorsqu'il vinrcnt pour voter. Cc fut sur son rcfus de le faire, que le Potitionnaire intervint, ct s'cflln^a, mais en vain, dc les clnigncr de I'offense dont ils allaient se rcndre coupable. " •;; avec difficult'^- qu'il put se faire entendre, au milieu des vociferations bruyaiues du Candidal oppose ct de ses partisans, pressant ces gens a printer serment, sous les circonstanccs dont il vient d'etre fait mention, et dont ilj avaicnt une parfaitc connaissance ; et pour vaincre leurs scrupules, le Candidat oppos • ieur donna les plus fortes assurances qu'il les prott'gerait contrc toutcs les cons'quences, ct qu'il se metlrait enire cux et le mat. Ses faux sermens, accompagnts de tellcs circonstanccs a la face mcme Ju public, doivent arriver rarement; et je presume qu'il pcut il peine se presenter des cas plus dignes d'une poursuiteque ceux-ci : — cependant cc sont la trois des causes dont il estaccus6 d'avoir pn'sento contre les individus des actes d'accusation ; eties explications qu'il s'cftbr9a de leur donner a I'egard dc I'offense au'ils allaient commettre, et des penalitt s qui y sont attachi'es, ont etc appek'cs es menaces, pour gt^ner la liberie des Elections ! Sous ce chef d'offense, lo Pe- tionnaire est accuse d'avoir intimide queiques-uns des Electeurs, tandis qu'il promit I'impunit^' A d'autres. Cette allegation est fausse et n'a pas Ic plus 16- ger fondement. Elle vient d'une fausse representation des faits qui sont vrai- ment ■I 158 occurred, intermixed with falsehood, proceeding from individuals influenced by a strong desire to injure the Petitioner, and subject to no responsibility, for the means thus employed to gratify their malice and resentment. 13y misrepresen- tation, tlie legal and proper conduct of the Petitioner, in cautioning ignorant and deluded m.u against the commission of Perjury, is converted iuio intimidation; and by falsehood, in ascribing to the Petitioner language which he never ut- tered, a colour is obtained, for charging liim with having held out impunity to voters in his favour, which the most ignorart persons nuist have been aware it was not in his power to afford, and which no person in his oflice, not actually deprived of his reason, could possibiy have even hinted at, as an inducement to Perjury, in the face of the public. The falsehood in this malicious compound thus defeats its object, by its very extravagance. It would be easy for the Peti- tioner, to analyse the statements of the different witnesses from which this com- pound of misrepresentation and falsehood has proceeded, and establish, as to each of them successively, their entire uuworthincss of credit, even if their statements iiad been legally made uiuler oath, with the responsibility incident to evidence in that form. But a great and, he thinks, unwarrantable extension of this Memoir, would be tlius occasioned unnecessarily, inasmuch as the mis- representation and falsehood now referred to, besides the intrinsic evidence of it resulting from the facts which are stated, is distinctly proved by the affidavits on oath of the most respectable inhabitants of the Borough, who were intimately conversant with the proceedings of the election from first to last, and who have been under the influence of no motive that could effect their veracity. To these afl^davits, as well as those of several other persons, the Petitioner will beg leave to refer*, as not only disproving in lulo tiiis alledged head of offence, but as es- tablishing the scrupulous fairness, and entire correctness of the conduct and de- portment of the Petitioner, throughout the election. .V < r ■r:ki:^: On the fifth head of imputed offence, the petitioner will observe, that he prosecuted no person for perjury whom he did not caution, at the time of taking the oath, against doing so, and whoso want of qualification was not so evident, as to exclude all doubt as to the falsehood of the oath which had been taken. The number of cases in which this false swearing occurred was so gi eat, compared with the entire number of votes for the borough, which is only between one hundred and one hundred and tv^enty, that the legal right ofvoting must be rendered entirely illusory, if the fidse assumption of this light, by poijury, were not checked. The effect of this assumption, in the case ailud^d ,j, wa« evident, inasmuch as the majority of the adverse candidate was only two or three votes, and the number of his voters against wlioin indictments for perjury were subsequently foimd was not less than seven. For the sufliciency of the groimds on which each of these prosecutions was instituted, the petitioner most willingly holds himself responsible. The prosecutions which is held culpable, imder this head of offence, for not having instituted against persons who voted for him, he could not have instituted, without a gross breach of his duty, for two very conclusive reasons. In the first place, no private prosecutor ever requested him to institute such prosecu- tions, or ever said one syllable to hi;ii respecting them ; and, in the second, no sufficient evidence ever reached his hands to warrant or justify him, in laying any such accusations as those referred to, before a grand jury. The facts, with respect to the fifth head of offence, the petitioner begs leave to state are these. In the term of the Coiut of Kings Bench at Montreal, which succeeded the election at Sore), there were delivered to him, by the Clerk of the Crown, to whom they had been sent, several depositions, charging persons who had voted for the petitioner, with perjury ; but, from that period to the present, no private prosecutor ever required droit I jures dans de del avaien • Vide Appendix Nos. 3, I, 5, 0, 7,8, 9 and 15. 159 msnt arrives, entreint"l''s de mensongcs, tic la part de personnes anim(!'e3 d'un fort df sir de faire tort au Petitionniire, ct sujettes a aiicune responsabilite pour Ics moyens ainsi employes pour gratifier leur malice et leiir ressentiment. Par cette fausse representation, la coiuUiite It'gale et conveiiable du Pctitionnaire pour eloigner des gens ignorans et trompes de commettre iin parjure, est ponver- tie en intimidation ; et en attribuant ianssemcnt an Potitionnairc un langage quil n'a jamais tcnu, on acquiert une motif apparent de i'accuser d'avoir promis I'impunit^ a ceux qui votaient en sa favour, ciiose que les plus ignorans des hommes sa\ aient bien n'ctrc pas en son pouvoir, et que personne revutu de sa charge ne pouvait, sans avoir vraiment perdu la raison, avoir fait entendre, comme une invitation au parjure, et cela en face d'un public. L'extravagance meme de la faussete de cet avance maiicieux en detruit I'objet. Il serait aisi poui le Pi^titionnaire d'analyser Ics depositions des ti'moins divers dont on a tire ce compose de faussete et de mensonge, et d'etablir, a I'egard de chacun deux, qii'ils n'auraient droit a aucune foi quelconque, quand mOme leurs d^posi- tions auraient etc U'galement faites sous serment, avec la responsabilit6 qui ac- compagne un temoignage donne sous cette forme.. Mais pour cela il lui faudrait tlonnersans necessity a ce Manoire une longueur qu'il ne conviendrait pas de lui donner, a ce qu'il croit; d'autant plus que les representations fausses et inensongeres dont il parle, sans parler de 1 evidence intrinseque qui, des faits rapportcs, sont clairement prouvees pur des depositions asserment^es donnees par les habitans les plus respectables du Bourg, qui ont eu une connaissance par- faite des precedes de I'electiun depuis le commencement jusqu'i\ la fin, et qui n'etaient sous I'influence d'aucun motif qui put aft'ecter leur veracite. Le Pc- titionnaire demandera la liberti de renvoyer a ces affidavits, ainsi qu'a ceux de plusieurs autres personnes* comme repoussant in toto non seulement ces chefs d'oftenscs alleguees, mais comme i 160 f' ' ■ ■1- icqiiired that these depositions should be acted upon, nor has any inquiry respect- ing them ever been made. Upon looking into the depositions, the petitioner found them to have been made by persons of very low condition in life, and to be wholly instifticient to admit of any prosecution being grounded on them. ' He likewise found that one of the persons charged in these depositions with the com- mission of perjury, in having fidsely sworn to a qualification, had, indeed, voted at the election, but hisvote hiui not been objected to, and he had, in fact, taken no oath at all. It was also, on the depositions of the same person, (one Joseph Allard, an indigent caiter,) by whom this charj^e of perjury was thus falsely made, that two other of the charges rested. Under these circumstances, no persecutions were, or could be, grounded on the depositions now referred to. But, it was deemed proper to prosecute Allard for the perjury he had committed, in charging, witii that offence, the voter who had voted, without taking any oath; and an indictment was accordingly found against him for perjury, in a Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Ciaol Delivery held at Montreal, in November 1827. And in the same session an indictment was also found against Louis Marcoux,* for subornation of perjury, in having procured him to commit the ofience. After thearrcstof Allard, the criminal means by which he had been prevailed on, by Mavcouv, falsely to charge Cameraire with perjury, as well as those by which these depositions, generally, had been procured, were disclosed.f By this dis- closure, the prudential considerations, which had prevented any private prosecu- tor from incurring the responsibility of acting on such depositions, were rendered sufliciently evident. f)n the sixth head of imputed offence. — Leaving to the consideration of His Majesty's Government the extraordinary assumption of power, by the Assembly of Lower-Canada, in convicting him of this ofi'once, by their own mere authority, as already mentioned, the petitioner cannot, without the most painful sense of injury, proceed to exonerate himself from the disgraceful imputation thus arbitrarily and unjustly fastened upon him. The laws of the land, ns to him, have been virtually suspended; — the safeguards provided for the security of men's persons, reputation, and fortunes, have, in this proceeding of the Assembly against him, been disregarded, and rendered of no avail. Thj whole extent of the injury thus inflicted can never be effectually counteracted by the petitioner. The establishment of his innocence, in the form now adopted, cannot effect this purpose. A wide dissemination has been given, under the authority of the Assembly, to a disgraceful charge, not within its juris- diction or cognizance, and no circulation of its refutation, proceeding from the petitioner, can be equally extensive. Under any circumstances, therefore, the petitioner can only flatter himself with partial reparation lor the injury he has experienced. The offence of which the Assembly, by its assumed authority, has convicted the petitioner, 1 that of subornation of perjury " in having (as it is alleged) in- " duced, at the election at Sorel, certain electors, who were not qualified, to take " oaths usual on such occasions, although he knew that these individuals were " not qualified." Subornation of perjury is thus expressly charged on the petitioner, in respect of several individuals; yet it is not stated who these indi- viduals were ; and if the charge alone, therefore, were adverted to, there could be no means of repelling and disproving it. It is only, by referring to the above- mentioned document called •' a Copy of Evidence,'' &c. that the foundation of the charge can be ascertained. The petitioner has looked into this document, to find the names of the several individuals, with the subornation of whom it • Vide Appendix, No. 12. f Vide the affidaTit of Joseph Allard, Appendix, No. 1 1. might lai i qu'on procddAt sur ces depositions, et personne n'est venii prendre aucune in- formation i\ leur dgard. En jetant les yeux sur ces depositions, ie I'^titionnairc vit qu'eiles avaient h& faites par des gens dune basse classe, et qu'elles ^'talent tout-i\-fait insuiSsantes pour servir de ibndemcnt k aucune ponrsuite. II trouva pareillement qu'une des personnes accus6es Jans ces dt^positions d'avoir commis un parjure, pour avoir faiissement jure de leur qualification ;\ voter, avait bien en effet vot6 ;\ la dite election, mais qu'on n'avait fait aucune objection u son vote, et n'avait de fait pr£t6 aucun serment. C'etait aussi sur les depositions de la meme personne (un nomm6 Joseph Allard, charretier pauvre,) qui avait ainsi jur6 faussement sur cette accusation de parjure, que reposaient deux autrcs accusations. Sous de telles circonstances, il ne fiit ni ne pouvait ctre fonde au- cune poursuite sur les depositions donl il vient d'etre fait mention. Mais, il fut juge a-propos de poursuivre Allard pour le parjure qu'il avait commis, en accusant de cette offense, le voteur qui avait vote sans avoir prete aucun ser- ment; et il fut en consequence mis en accusation dans une Cour d'Oyer et Terminer et de D^livrance Gen^rale de la prison, tenue k Montreal, en No- vembre 18i^7. £t dans la meoie Session un nomm^ Louis Marcoux fut aussi mis en accusation*, pour subornation de parjure, en lui faisAnt commettre cette offense. Apr6s I'arrestation d'Allard furent d^couverts les moyens criminels par lesquels celiu-ci avait 6t6 conduit, par Marcoux, h accuser faussement Came- raire de parjure, de m6me que ceux par lesquels on s'etait procur6 gt'ntrale- ment ces depositionst. Cette decouverte fit voir assez clairement les conside- rations de prudence qui avaient empSch^ aucun poursuivant priv6 de se char- ger de la responsabilite d'agir sur de teiles depositions. Sur le sixi^me chef d'offense imputee,-^ Laissant au Gouvernement de Sa Majesty h consid^rer I'assomption extraor- dinaire, de la part de la Chambre d'Assembl^e, par laquelle celle-ci le convainc de cette offense, de sa seule autorit^, comme il a d^j^ et^ remarque, le p^tition- naire ne pent, sans le sentiment le plus p^nible de I'injure qu'on lui fait, proceder ^se discnlperde cette imputation fletrissante dont on le charge! d'une manicre aussi arbitraire et aussi injuste. Les lois du pays ont 6t6 suspendues k son ^gard ; on a dedaign^ et rendu illusoircs dans ce proc^de de rAssembl^e contre lui, les sauvegardes que fournissent les lois pour la securite des personnes, de la r6putation et de la propriety des hommes. Le p^titionnaire ne pourra jamais reparer efficacement toute I'etendue du mal qu'on lui fait par h\. La preuve de son innocence, dans la forme maintenant adoptee, nepeut I'effectuer. II a 6te donn6, sous I'autorite de I'Assemblee, a une accusation fietrissante, qui n'etait pas de sa competence et dont elle ne pouvait connaitre, une publicity que le p^titionnaire ne saurait donner a sa refu,tation. Quoiqu'il arrive done, le petition- naire ne pent esperer qu'une reparation partielle du tort qu'on lui a fait soufirir. L'offense dont I'Assemblee a convaincu le petitionnaire, de sa seule autorite, est celle de subornation de parjure " en induisant fcomme il est dit,) a I'^lectioa " de Sorel, certains eiecteurs, qui n'^taient pas qualifies, k preter les sermens ** ordinaires en telles occasions, quoiqu'il sfit que ces ipdividus ne fussent pas " qualifies." On accuse ainsi le petitionnaire de subornation de parjure,^ I'egard de certains individus ; et cependant on ne dit pas quisont ces jndividus ; et si done on ne referait qu'a I'accusation, il n'y aurait aucun moyen de la repousser ni de la refuter. Ce n'est qu'en r^ferant au document mentionne plus haut, appeie " Copie des T6muignages, &c." qu'oti peut connaitre les fondemens de cette accusation. Le petitionnaire a regards dans ce document pour trouver les noms des divers individus, de la' subornation desquels on puisse supposer que I'Assemblee a voulu • Voir TAppendice, No. It. f Voir r Affidavit de Joseph Allird, Appendice, Nas II, I'accuser: X 162 might be supposed the Assembly meant to charge him ; and he finds the name of one individual only, whose oath, it would appear, has given occasion to the charge. It certainly implies, the petitioner may be permitted to remark, singular facility in the imputation ot offence to him, that such an increased latitude should be given to the charge beyond the foundation on which it rests ; — thatc le sup- posed act of subornation, in the evidence, should be multiplied into se^'eral in the charge and conviction of the Assembly ■ while it is also true, that the mag- nitude of the charge, and t'- e impression to be made by it, as well us the diiKculty of repelling it, are hereby improperly enhanced. The individual in resp ct or whom, it would appear, it was the intention of the House of Assembly to char;'- the petitioner with subornation of perjury, is one Franfois Gazaille dit St. uermain, who, at the time of the election held at William Henry, was a respectable inhabitant of that place. The facts, with respect to the oath taken by this man, within the personal knowledge of the petitioner, ' are the following : On the second day of the election, in the morning, when in the act of proceeding alone, from his lodgings to the poll, which was then held in a small apartment in the Presbyt^re, or Parsonage House, the petitioner was met near the door by Fran9ois Gazaille dit St. Germain, whom he had never seen before, and who informed him that he had come to offer him his vote. The petitioner inquired of him, as he was in the habit of doing when votes were tendered to him, th&nature of his qualification, and learnt from him that his qualification con- sisted in a usufruct for life, or life-estute, in part of a house or houses and lands in the Borough, of the whole of which he had executed a deed of gift to his son, sub- ject to the reservation of a life-estate in part thereof, the annual value of which part so reserved he stated to exceed that which is required by law to confer the right of voting. Upon this statement, St. Germain was told by the petitioner that he had a right to vote, and that his vote would be gladly accepted. The ground of the opinion so expressed coidd be susceptible of no difficulty. The act of the Imperial Parliament, 31st Geo. HI, chap. 31, by which the Constitution of Lower Canada is established, annexes to a freehold the right of voting, and a life-estate being a freehold, the right of St. Germain to vote on his usufruct, <»• life-estate, exceeding in annual value the sum required by law, could be questioned. After this short explanation with St. Germain, the petitioner proceeded to the poll, where he was for some time unattended by any of the persons who favoured his election. In this interval St. Germain presented himself as a voter, and tendered his vote for the petitioner. His right to vote was objected to by the adverse candidate, on the ground that an absolute right of property, or estate in fee-simple, alone conferred the right of voting, that it could not be claimed or exercised on a usufruct for life, or life-estate, and that, therefore, St. Germain could not vote on the reservation contained in the deed of gifl to his son. This objection was answered by the petitioner, and some altercation took place between the adverse candidate and him, as to the- admissibility of the vote ; the one insist- ing that the objection was well founded, the other that it was not ; while the return- ing oflScer (as was usual with him) gave occasion to the altercation, by not inter- posing his authority, on the point in dispute. But, in all that was said, the fact of the reservation of a life-estate as stated by St. Germain, was not called in ques- tion or doubted, either by the adverse candidate, or by the returning officer, or by any person present ; the legal effect of the reservation being; alone, the subject of debate between the adverse candidate and the petitioner. While the discussion on this point was going on in English, St. Germain, not understanding that language, withdrew of his own accord ; he soon afler returned, and of his own free- will, (without having been spoken toby the petitioner in the intermediate time,) took the oath, and voted. If any doubt had been expressed as to the fact of the reservation having been made, the petitioner would have desired St. Germain ' to go for and produce the deed of gift, in order to remove it; but this was not thought 163 I'accuser ; et il trouve le nom d'un seul indiviilu dont le sermcnt, k ce qu'il pa- raitrait, a donn^ lieu k cette accusation. II sera permis nu p^titionnairc dc remarqiier, que celd doit faire supposer une facility singuliere 4 lui imputer des offenses, qii'onait donn6 k cette accusation une telle latitude, au-dela du fonde- ment sur lequel elle repose : qu'un acte suppose de subornation, qui se trouve en Evidence, ait 6t6 multipli6 en plusieurs dans I'accusation et conviction de I'As- sembiee ; tandis qu'il est vrai aussi, que la grandeur de I'accusation et I'impressioii qu'elle devait produire, de tneme que la difficult^ de la repousser, sont par h\ inconvenablement augment^s. L'individu que la Chambre d'Assembl^e a eu, ^ ce qu'il paraitrait, intention de I'accuser d'avoir suborne, est un nomm6 Fran9ois Gazaille dit St. Germain, qui, lors de r^lection de iSorel, ^tait un habitant respectable du lieu. Voici les faits qui> a 1 1 connaissance du petitionnaire, se rattachent a la prestation du scr- ment parcel individu. — Fje second jour del'election, dans la matinee, le petition- naire se rendantseul, de son logis au poll, quisetenait alors dansun petit apparte- *J ment dans le Presbyt^re, fut rencontr6 par F'ran^ois Gazaille dit St. Germain, qu'il n'avait jamais vu auparavant, et qui I'informa qu'il ^tait venu pour lui donner iSa voix. Le petitionnaire lui demanda, comme il etait dans I'habitude de le faire, lorsqiie quelqu'un lui venait offrir sa voix, quelle ^tait la nature de sa qualification, et ilapprit delui que sa qualification consistait en un' usufruit, dans une partie demaison ou maisonset terres dans le Bourg, done il ivvait pass6 acte de donation a son fils, sujet a la reserve de I'usufruit d'une part des dites propri^tcs, la va ur annueile de la dite part ainsi rt^'servee exc<:!dant, k ce qu'il dit, ce que la loi exigeait pour avoir le droit de voter. Sur cet ^xpos6 le petitionnaire dit a St. Germain, qu'il avail droit de voter, et qu'il recevrait sa voix avpc plaisir. II ne pouvait y avoir ds dif!icultas never seen or spoken to St. (icrm: n, '.'ither befor« or since the election, and wo lid not know him if he were to i'n; Itir.:. it is on these facts, that the petitioner lias been subjected, by the Housed Assetr.My of T owcr Canada, to the extraordinary charge of subornation of perju:v, in Uh'tnft; u^ it i< alledged, induced St. Germairi to sweai to i qualification which, it it now said, he did not possess. Thatsucir a charge should originate in si>c'ii facts cotdd not have been anticipated ; the malicious misrcjtiCjontation ai.J falsehood by which it has been sought to obtain a colour fur it arc riov/ to be explained. The individuals examined before the Committee, consisting of the Hdverse candidi>ie, his partiinris and friends, two of whom are still under indictment lor ptruiry and subornifUon of perjury, on whose statements thh charge has bc-^n founded, assert thai St. CJermairi when he tendered his vote, stated that he h-.id ^^iven away ii; . roperty to bin son ;)i)d that notwithstanding this fact, he WiH adsiircd by 'he petitioner, thuthchu ' .sight to vote. The fact thus stated is inci'edible . it cannot be supposed ihx.. i.he t ''titionei' would assure St. Germain that he had a right to vole, if he l.'ad inprciy said, that he had given away his property, which would have be 'i; . jiiivalent to a declaration on his part that he had no right to vote ; and no pnrsua in his senses could, in such case, have ascribed to St. Germain the right, of voting. It ti here the misrepresentatior\ occurs, on the part of these witnesses, by stating only a part of the fact, or res gesta, ami suppressing the rest. It is true that St. Germain did state, that he had given nvay his property to his son, and it is also true that the petitioner assured him he had a right to vote ; but it iv equally true, that St. Germain added, that he had reserved a life-estaie in part of the property so given away, on which he claimed the right to vote, and tliJt it was, on this alledged reservation, not denied at the time, that he was told by the Petitioner that he had a right to vote. The statement of the whole fact, as it occurred, would have excluded all pretence for attaching offence or blame to the Petitioner, as his assurance to St. Germain, that he had a right to vote, would have been predicated on a fact, acquiesced in as true at the time, and sufficient to confer that right. Hence the suppessio vert in the particular now mentioned : and still further to give a colour to the charge, false* hood has been added, by. representing St. Germain to have been reluctant it) taking the oath, and to have been pressed by the Petitioner to do so, who, it is even falsely said, laid his hand on the book. To disprove the statements of these witnesses in to/lo, and deprive them of all credit, it is sufficient to establish the fact which they have maliciously suppressed, viz : that St. Germain claimed the right of voting, on the reservation ot a life estate. This fact is ascertained by the Affidavits* of the most respectable inhabitants of the Borough, to whom St. Germain, the day before, and on the morning he voted, stated his intention to vote for the Petitioner, and the ground on which he claimed the right of voting, viz : the reservation of a life estate in part of the property he had given to his son, and to two of whomt he mentioned that he had spoken to the Peti- tioner, as above mentioned, and had been told by him, he had a right to vote on his life estate. To these Affidavits the Petitioner is enabled to add the Affi- davits of St. Germain himself, and of hissont, the occasion and manner of taking which he begs leave to mention. Never anticipating that he could have be- * Vide Appendix No8. 4, 5, 6 and 15. f Vide Appendix Nos. 4 and 5, I it Vide Appendix No8. 13 and 14. come 165 pt aiiflsi par I'Officier Rapporteur, qui en sa capacity de Notaire, avait attest^ I'ex^cution de I'acte de donation et qui t^tait en possession de la minute. Except^ I'occasion oCi il lui oflrit son vote, et ou il vota, comme il vient d'etre dit, le V&^ titionnairti k sa connaissance n'ajamais vu St. Germain ni lui avaft parl^, ni avant ni depuis I'dection, et ne le reconnaitrait pas s'ii le voyait. C'est sur ces fails que la Chanibre d'Assemblecdu Bas-Cunada a port^ cont'-e le P^titionnuire I'accusa- tion extraordinaire de subornation deparjiirc, pour avoir, <\ ce qu'on pretend, in- duit St. (iermain h jurer dune qualification qu'on dit maintenant qii'il n'avait pas. On n'aurait pu pr^voir qu'une telle accusation dut d^'couler de tels faits : il taut maintenant expliquer les representations fau&seset malicieuses parlesquellcs on a tSch6 dc lui donner une apparcnce de fondement. Les individus interrog^s devant le Comit^, consistant du C'andidat oppos^-, de ses partisans etamis, dont deux sont encore sous accusation pour parjure et subornation de parjure, sur les depositions desquelscette accusation a ^t^ fondle, avancentque St. Germain., lorstju'il offrit son vote, ditqu'il avait donn6 sonbien k sonfils, et que, malgr6 cc fait, Je Peti> tionnaire I'assura qu'il avait droit de voter. Le fait ainsi expos6 est incroyable : on ne peut supposer que le Pttitionnaire put assurer St Germain qu'il avait droit de voter, s'il e(kt dit simplement qu'il avait donn6 son bicn, ce qui aurait dquivalu de sapart k une declaration qu'il n'avait pas droit de voter ; et personnel n'aurait pu. sans avoir perdu I'esprit, donner a St. Germain le droit de voter. C'e>t ici qu'il y a fausse representation de la part des t^moins, en ne rapportant qu'une partie du fait, ou resgeslu, et supprimantle reste. 11 est vraique St. Germain dit qu'il avait donnd son bien u son fits, et il est vrai aussi que le Pttitionnaire I'assura qu'il avait le droit de voter ; mais il est dgalement vrai que St. Germain ajout», qu il s'^tait r^serv6 I'usufruit d'une partie du bien ainsi donnd, sur laquelle il rdclamai' le droit de voter, et que ce f ut sur cettef reserve alldgude, qui ne fut pas nidc dans le temps, que le Pdtitionnaire lui dit qu'il avait droit de voter. L'exposition du fait eniier, comme il arriva, aurait 6t6 tout pretexte k imputer aucune offense ou b'dme an Pttitionnaire, attendu que I'assuiance qu'il donna k St. Germain qu'il avait droit de voter, aurait h6 appuyee sur un fait re9u comme vrai duns le temps,et sufKsant pour confdrer ce droit. De \k le suppressioveri sur le point en question ; et pour donner encore plus d'apparence de fondement a I'accusation, on ajoute le mensonge, en repr^sentant St. Germain comme ayant de I'dloignement k prater le serment, et comme ayant dtd pressd par le Petitionnaire de le faire, qu'on dit m^me fausse- ment avoir mis sa main sur le livre. Pour repousser in tolo les depositions de ces tdmoins, et leur 6ter tout credit, il suffit d'ctablir le fait qu'ils ont malicieusement supprime, savoir : que St. Germain reclamait le droit de voter sur la reserve d'un usufruit. Ce fait se trouve dtabli par des affidavits * des habitans les plus respec- tables du bourg, a qui St. Germain, la veilie et dans la matinee du jour qu'il vpta, avait communique I'intention qu'il avait de voter pour le Petitionnaire, et le fonde- ment sur lequel il reclamait le droit de voter, savoir, la rdserved'un usufruit dans une partie d'un bien qu'il avait donne a son fils, et a deux desquels t il mentionna qu'il en avait parie au Petitionnaire, comme ci-dessus rapporte et que celui-cilui avait dit qu'il avait le droit de voter sur son usufruit. A ces affidavits le Petition- naire peut ajouter celui de St. Germain lui-m€me, et celui.de son fils t, et il de- niande k rapporter I'occasion et la maniere dont ils ont dte pris. N'ant'cipant jamais qu'il aurait pu devenir I'objet d'une accusation de la nature de celle dont il est question, ce ne. fut qu'apr^s I'adresse de I'Assemblee et apr^s la publication du document appele " Copie des Temoignages, &c.," qu'il crut necessaire de s'as- surer de la residence actuelle de St. Germain. II s'etait transports avec son fils, apr^s I'election, dans une autre partie du pays, o^ le Petitionnaire lui fit parler, et donner I'afiidavit des faits comme ils sont reellement arrives, et aussi I'affidavit de son fils, avec qui il vivait. Dans, son affidavit, St. Germain confirme le /ait ^ta- If" "i i~ * Voir I'Appendice Kos. 4, 5, 6 et 15, J. Voi> I'Appendice Nos. 13 ct H. t Voir I'Appendice No*. 4 et S. bii ,:f- 166 ,•4 ; come subject to such a charge as that in ijuestion, it was not, till after the Ad. dress of the Assembly, and the publication of the document called *' A Copy of Evidence, &c.'' that he deemed it necessary to ascertain the actual residence of St. Germain. He had removed, with his son, afler the election, to another Eart of the country, where the Petitioner caused him to be referred to, and is Affidavit taken of the facts as they really occurred, and also the Affidavit of his son, with whom he now lives. In his Affidavit, St. Germain confirms the fact established by the Affidavits already mentioned, that he claimed the right of voting, and voted, on the reservation of a life estate. He also negatives the use of any influence whatever on the part of the Petitioner to induce nim to vote ; he states that having signified at the poll, his intention to vote for the Pe- titioner, a dlEcussion (difficulU) took place between the two Candidates ^re> ferring no doubt to the discussion as to the admissibility of his vote on a life estate, which, being in English, he did not understand) and he withdrew ; that he soon after returned, ana of his own free-will and accord took the oath; that the Holy Evangelists, on which he was sworn, were put into his hand by Mr. Crebassa, the Returning Officer, and that the Petitioner never touched his hand for the purpose of layhig it on the book. He likewise states facts, of which the Petitioner was not previously aware, viz : that Mr. Nelson, the adverse Candi- date, the evening before he voted, called at his house to solicit his vote, and in answer to his enquiry how he had disposed of his property, he (St. Germain) told him that he had reserved to himself, by his deed, a life estate in one or other of his two houses, at his option, and thereupon Mr. Nelson told him he had a right to vote, and that if any difficulty was made about it at the poll, he (Mr. Nelson) would soon put an end to it. He also swears that on the same qualifi- cation, and at the solicitation of the same Mr. Nelson, he had previously voted for the two members for the county, in which the Borough of Williaid Henry is situated. He likewise states, that the morning he voted, in order to be more secure as to his right of voting, he went to consult Mr. Crebassa, the Returning Officer, being the Notary before whom his Deed of Gifl to his son had been executed, who refused to give him either information or advice on the subject, telling him at the same time to do as he pleased ; b}' .vhich he was the more confirmed in the belief that he had a right to vote. These last mentioned facts, contrasted with the statements made before the Committee of Grievances, suffi- ciently exemplify the character, principles, and conduct of the persons with whom the proceedings in question against the Petitioner originate. But they are not necessary for the Petitioner's entire justification, whi :n results from the simple fact, that St. Germain claimed the right of voting on a life estate, and that the assurances he received from the Petitioner that he had this right, were predicated on the supposed existence of such life estate, which at the time was not denied or called \n question. The falsehood of the charge of subornation of perjury, of which he has been convicted by -the Assembly and the absence of any the slightest probable cause for it, is thus convincingly established ; and the Petitioner might abstain from further observations respecting it. But the true character of this proceeding against him would be imperfectly understood, without some explanation also of the motives for the misrepresentation and falsehood which have been made manifest. St. Germain had voted, early in the election, when a single vote was deemed of little importance, and his vote, as already established, had been distinctly given on the ground of a reservation of a life-estate in the deed of gift to his son. At a later period of the election, when it was drawing to a close, and the value of a vote was much enhanced, two persdns, Aussant and Cournoyer, who had also, given away their property, in the Borough, to their children, but who, by their own confession, had made no reservation of a life-estate in any part of it, were pre- vailed on by the adverse Candidate and his partisans to swear, as above men- tioned, 1G7 bli paries affidavits d^-j&mentionnt's, qii'il r^'clama le droit de voter, et qu'it vota sur la reserve d'un usufruit. II nic aiissi I'usagc d'ancunc influence quelconquQ de la part du Petitionnaire pour I'induirc a voter ; il dit qii'ayant signifie, au poll, son intention de voter pour le Petitionnaire, il y eut une difHculte entrc Ics deux Candidats, (iaisant allusidn sansdoutc i\ I'adniissibilit^ dc son vote sur un usufruit, laquclle dtant en Anglais, il n'entendit pas,') et il se rctira ; que peu dc temps apr^s il rcvint et preta le sermentde sa propre volontc et bon grc ; que les Saintit Evangiles, sur lesquels il fut assermente fiirent mis dans scs mains par M. Crd-- bassa, I'Officier- Rapporteur, et que le P(^titionnaire nelui touclia jamais les mains pour les lui mettre sur le livre. II rauportc aussi des faits que le Pctitionnaire ignorait auparavant, savoir, (]ue M. Nelson, le Candidat oppos^', la vcille qu'il vota, allachezlui demander sa voix, et en reponse ii sa demande de quelle mani^rc il avait dispose de son bien, il (St. Germain) lui dit ciu'il sYtait r^scrv^ dans I'acte un usufruit dans I'uneoul'autre de ses deux maisons, a son choix, et la-des3lis M. Nel- son lui dit qu'il avait droit de voter, et que si Ton faisait au poll quelque difficult^ a cet (''gard, il (M. Nelson) y aurait bicntot mis Un. II jure aussi que sur la ml^me qualification, et a la sollicitation du mOme M. Nelson, il avait anterieurement vot6 pour deux membres pour le Comt^ dans lequel est situ^ le bourg de William Henry. II dit pareillement que le matin qu'il vota, pour £tre plus stir de sou droit de voter, il alia consulter M. Cri-bassa, I'Officier-Rapporteur, qui (^tait le Notaire devant lequel avait 6t^' pass^ I'acte de donation i\ son fils, qui refusa dc lui^ donner aucune information ou avis sur le sujet, lui disant en m^me temps de f'aire comme il luiplairait; ce qui le confirma encore davantage dans ia croyance qu'il avait d'avoir droit de voter. Ces faits dernit-rcment mentionn^s, en les faisant con- traster avec les depositions faites devant le rapport du Comity des Griefs, font voir assez clairement le caract^re, les principes etia conduite des personnes chez lesquelles ont origin^ les proc^d6s en question contre le Petitionnaire. Mais ils ne sont pas n^cessaires pour I'enti^re justification du P>usde confiance (ju .ly avait bicn peu du personncs prcsentcH lorsque St. Germain vota, ct entre eiles aucun de ceux qni favorisaicnt ''election du Petitionnaire, de la part desquels on pouvait craindre d'etre contrcdit. Ce moyeu singulier de justifier le parjurc puur Icqnel Aussant ct Cournoyer furent mis en accusation, cssayant d'^tablir qu'un autre avait commi.s auparuvant un semblable parjure, fut celiii auqiicl on cut recours dans Ic proems d'Ausuant ; et on pensa ensuite que la m6me representation fausse et mensongiiro, qu'on avait irr^gulicrement et inipertinL-mment introduite dans cc proc^-s, pourrait r^ussir dans un autre quartier en la diri> geant contre le Petitionnaire. Ainsi les motifs de la representation fausse et men- songere, qui aet^* etablic clairemcnt a I'egard de ce qui passa lorsque St. Germain donna son vote, se trouvent dans le dtsir de jusiiiier on excuser, par ce moyen, Aussant et Cournoyer, et de nuire au Petitionnaire. Aus- this En autantque la justification du Petitionnaire est concerni-e sous cc chef d^ofiense imput^'e, il importe que St. Germain fut ou non en possession de I'usufruit, il sufiiit qu'il ait reclame le droit de voter sur c^ titro, et que c etait en ayant egard a ce titre que le Petitionnaire lui assure qu'il avait droit de voter. II n'est peut- etre pas cependant hors de propos d'observer, que le Petitionnaire ignora jusqu'au proces d' Aussant que la reserve dun usufruit en faveiir de St. Germain ne se trouvait pas dans I'acte de donation qu'il avait fait a son fils. On avait, comme il a ^te remarqu^- plus haut. acquiesce, lors de I'electioD, ou fait cnoncer qu'une telle r(!'serve avait ^t6 faite, et il appert par les affidavits, dans I'acte de donation. II parait aussi que St. Germain, perc, qjii ne salt ni lire ni ecrire, est encore dans la ferme persuasion que lar^servf: so trouve contenue dans I'acte de donation ; que son fils continue i\ donner effet k la reserve comme si elle etait contenue dans facte ; et que St. Germain, pere, depuis I'execution de facte, a joui etjouit encore de I'avantagc d'une telle reserve. Sous d'autres circonstanced, le Petitionnaire aurait cru devoir mentionner des faits qui sont d'une nature i\ invalider le credit de plusieurs temoins interrog^s devantle Comi£6 des Griefs, i\ I'appui decechef d'ofFense imputee. Mais consi. derant que la faussete a ete clairement ct pleine:netit d^montree, il croit pouvoir, au moins pour le moment, omettre cette tache desagreable ; sc reservant cepen- dant le droit de le faire, si par la suite la chose devient necessaire. * Voir I'Appcndice, Nos, 13 it 14-. ' '^i Comme 170 this ili(tnRrci'al)li' task; rfscrviiig, however, hit right to do • •, if it nliouUl here- after \>v ii'iulcri'd iicci'.xHiiry. As liL- liat ulicady iloiic, iiiuler a procfliiig hrnd of iin|)iite(l ofTonr. , it is in« ci^mbi'tit on the |Ktitioiu-r tliiit he ithuiihl, under lhi% head uUo, nuijc anudeged irregularity and ii:curri.'ctncss in the taking of evidence by the Ccmmitteo of GrieMiiice!*, in finppoit uf it, wliich inust ixcitc extreme surprise. — Hy the aflidB- vitof Dr. Voii (Hlanil ', oiioof the vviln<^ai.» exiiinmcd bi.iore the Cuininittec, it uppcarn that, in ihit Report (iT tlio (vidiiice tukcti Ijeforc it, thuru hiis been m AupprcNsion of innterhil facts and eirciinislanccH wliich made part uf bin an- swcrsto the (|ii(Stions put to liini, and th;it the vvideneucunt.iinL'd in the Ucpurt, ill u nnniher (if purticnhus, is incorrect, and did'ereiit fioin tho evidence rHally given by him bifure the Ciniiinittru. In whjt relates to Fraii^ois (iazuillo (lit St. (JL'rmain, it appuirs tliat Dr. Von Ifflii.d stated before the (Jominillee, facts from wliiLh itw.istobc infi'md, that tho said St. Gormain took the oath, of his own free will, upon an ullcged \' -•erviition of a lifb-cBtate, the existence of whicii estate was not denied or doubted at the time he \moignago assign^ ati Dr. Von Iftiund. Lcb fails quo cc tnnoin rapportaainsi dcvnnt le Onmitt'-, et qui ont ^t£ supprimds dans le Rapport des 'IVniuiiriiagcs, (itant le document ci dcssus design^ commc " Copio des Tdmoignagos &c.," son affidavit prouve que ce sont les suivans, sav oir : '• Quo St. Germain alia trouvcr " le Dr. Von IHland, la veillc du jour qu'il vola, ct a|)riis avoir oxprimo son " intention de voter pour James Stuart, Ecuyer, un (Il-s Candiilats, il dit aussi *< quelle <''tuit la nature de sa ([uuliHcation, (| I'il expose commu coiisistant on un " Ubufruit pour la vie, dans une partio do la maison du bourg, (|u°il avail donnuo " i\ son fiU, par arte de donation execute devant M. Crebassa, N'otaire Public. " Lo lendemain matin le dit St. Germain vint parler dc nouveau au Dr. Von •• Iffiand, et lui dit nu'il venait dc voir le dit .lames Stuart, qui lui avail dit, que *• sil (St. Germain,) s*( tail n'servt; un usufruit, comme il disail I'avoir fait, il •• avait droit de voter. Quo le Dr. Von Ittland d'sirant s'assurer des tcrmes do •' la n^-servc que St. Cicrmain disait /^tre contcnuc duns facte dc donation a sou •' fils, se rendit sur le champ ;\ IVtudo du (lit Crebassa, pour voir le dit acte do " donation, et dcmanda au dit Crebassa dc L' lui liisser liio, mais celui-ci lui " refusa do lo lui laisser voir. Que pen de temps aprcs avoir rencontre le dit St. " Germain, qui persista a dire avec assurance quo le dit acte dc donation, con- •' tenait une reserve, telle qu'il i'avait dit, et qui dit qu'il irait voter pour le dit «• James Stuart, et dans le cours de la memo matincic, le Dr. Von ItHanil uen- " tendit exprimer auciin doute sur la vtrit6 du fait rapporto par le dit St. Gcr- " main, qiiand a la ditc reserve, si cc n'est cinq on six jours apres Selection, •« lorsque le dit St. Germain, conversant avec lui, renouvcla son assertion, qu'il " s'^tait reserve un usufruit, commc il est mcntioiin'j ci-dessus." Le temoigna^e de M. Green, qui'il dit sous serment avoir ct^ supprim6, etait dc nature a faire tomber la seconde accusation, en la repoussant. Les fails esscn< tiels, faisant partie du temoignago de M. Von lifland, qii'il dit sous serment avoir ^t6 siipprim^'s, 6taient egalement de nature -k repousscr et faire tomber lu sixi^me accusation port^e contra le ptititionnaire. Sous ccs deux chefs d'accu- sation, done, on a supprit de na- un mode cusation portee contra le pctitionnaire. sous ccs ueux cheis u accu- nc, d'apr^s les affidavits expr^s de M. Green et du Dr. Von Ifllund, w.. - „..,,,..'im6 les depositions qui allaient a prouvcr linnocence, tandis qu'on ne couchait par ecrit que celles d'ou Ton pouvait inferer quelque cuipabilite ture ou d'autre. II u'est besoin, ce semblc, d'aucune observation sur un f Voir rAppeodicc, No. 1&, aussi 172 ITpon 8>"';i an extraordinary mode of investigating the conduct of a public of- iicer, and establisiiing his guilt, by suppressing the evidence of his innocence, no observation can be deemed necessary. It is, however, strikingly illustrative of the spirit and manner in which the proceedings »gainst the petitioner hava been promot: d and carried on, by the individuals with whom they originate, and of the means which have been perseveringly employed to injure him. He will only further permit himself to express his regret, that the facts thus suppressed should not have been reported to the House of Assembly, ap it might reasonably be presumed, that with this evidence, of which it appears to have been improperly deprived, the Assiembly of Lower Canada, in the judicious exercise of its high and important functions, would have abstained from both these charges. Having, as he humbly apprehends, fully established the grounds on which his respectful appeal to His Majesty has been made, the petitioner submits the case set forth in his petition, to hie Majesty's gracious consideration, in the full persuasion, that the measure of just'ce due to a servant of the Crown, in the faithful and honest discharge o> his duty, will not be withheld from him. (Signed,) J. STUART. London, 46, Albemarle Street, 6ih August, 1831. True Copy, J. STUAPT. . \ Copy of a Letter from James Stuart, Esq. to the Rl^ht Honorable Lord Viscount Goderich, one if His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, relating to the foregoing Petition and Memoir. London, 46, Albemarle Street, 6th August, 1831. My Lord, In conformity with the intention exprtssed in my Memorial, ad- dressed to your Lordship from Quebec, tlie 14th April last, on the subject of r.y suspension from the office of Attorney General for the Province of Lower Canada, I now do myself the honor to transmit' to youi Lordship to be laid at the foot of the Throne, my humble petition, that His Jlajesty will be graci- ously pleased to afford me an opportunity of defending myself against, and dis- proving the charges specified in tlie address of the Asseinbly of that Province, for my dismissal from office. Together with this petition, I also do myself the honor to transmit to your Lordship a memoir or statement in explanation and support of it. Being solicitous that the charges of the Assembly may receive the 173 aussi extraordinaire dc s'enqu^rir sur la conduite d'un officicr public et dVtablir sa culpability, en supprimant la preuve de son innocence. On voit l.\ cependant un exeinple frappant de I'esprit et la maniire dont les proCk.'d^s ont <*tc suscit^s et conduits contre le petitionnaire, par les hommcs chez qui ils ont origine, et des moyens qu'on a constamment employes pour lui nuire. II se permcttra d'u- joutcr scuieincnt quel regret il ressent que les fuits ainsi supprim^s n'aient pus fU' rapport^RT. To the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Goderich, . &c. &c. &c. True Copy. J. STUART. 175 accusations de I'Assenbl^e re9oivent {'investigation la plus enti^re et la plus satis- faisante, c'a ete avec beaucoup de satisfaction que j'ai observe que I'Assemblec a d^pu^eun Agent pour appuyei ses accusations et son adresse; et je demandc a exprimer mon humble desir que sous Pautorite de votre Seigneurie, 11 soit infor- ms de toute allegation et document venant de moi, au sujet dc cettc matiere, afin qu'il soit mis en ^tat d'y r6pondre, s'il en a etc* avise. J'ai I'honneur d'etre avec le plus grand respect, Moa Seigneur, De votre Seigneurie le tr^s-humble et tr^s-ob 'issant serviteur. (Sign^,) Au tr^S'honorable Lord Vicomte Goderich, &c. &c. &c. J. STUART. Vraie Copie, J. STUART. ■,5viii APPENDIX MEMOIR OR STATEMENT IN EXPLANATION AND SUPPORT OP THI PETITION OF JAMES STUART, ESQUIRE, ^0 v^i^ mm^t^. No. 1. Copy of a Report made bi/ .1 ames Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of Lower Canada, fo His Excellency Sm James Kempt, in a letter to Lieut. Col. YouKE, Secretary to His Excellency : Quebec, IStk August, 1830. Sir, I have been honored with the commands of His ExceDendy, Sir James Kempt, signified in your letter of the 5th May last, transmitting an extract from a report of a Committee of the whole Council of the 31st May, 1822, in which certain recommendations are made with a view to the reduction of the public expenditure in the administration of justice iu criminal cases ; and requiring me to take the subject generally into consideration, and suggest any measures th^ may occur to me, as necessary, to giv? greater effect to the recommendation of t'^'' Council. obedience tp His Excellency's commands, I have perused the extract of the Report of Council above referred to, with the docurnents connected with it. ■ In order to ascertain whether any thing can be done'in furtherance of the object of this Report, it is necessary to mention the heads of expenditure which it was intended by the Report to reduce, the means suggested for accoml plishingthe proposed reduction, and the effect of them. The heads of expenditure were, 1st. The expense incurred in the conduct of Criminal prosecutions by fees to the Officers of the Crown. Sndly. The expense incurred in supoenaing witnesses for the Crown, in such prosecutions. 3rdly. The expense incurred in allowances to witnesses for the Crown, in such prosecutions. 4thly. The amount of expense arising from the number and description of criminal prosecutions conducted by the Officers of the Crown, in the Supertof Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction. Under APPENDICE A UN MEMOIRE OU EXPOSE^ BN EXPLICATION ET A L'APPUI MM PETITION DE JAMES STUART, ECUYER, No. 1. Copie (Pun Rapportfatt par James Stuart, Ecuycr, Procureur -General da Bos- Canada, a Son Excellence Sir James Kempt, dtais une lettre au hizvT.-Coi.. . YoRKE, Secretaire de Son Excellence. Quebec, 13 Aout 1830. Monsieur, J'ai eu I'honneur de recevoir les ordres de Son Excellence, Sir James Kempt, lesquels m'ontete signifies dans votre lettre dii 5 Mai dernier, trans- mettant un extraitd'un Rapport d'lin Comite de tout le Conseil du31 Mai 1822, leqiiel contient certaines recommandations ayant pour objet la reduction des de- penses publiques dans {'administration de lajustice dans les causes criminelles ; et nie requ^rant de prendre le siijet generaiement en consideration, et de sugg^irer toute mesuro qui me paraitra nccessaire pour donner plus d'effet a la recomnian- dation du Conseil. En obeissance aux ordres de Son Excellence, j'ai lu I'extrait du Rapport du Conseil ci-dessi!3 mentionne, avecles documens y relatifs. Pours'assurer si I'on pent faire quelque chose pour avanccr I'objet de ce rap- port il est nccessaire de faire mention des articles de depense ; quj le rapport avait pour objet de rcduire, les moyens -uggires pour effectuer la reduction proposte et leur effet. Les articles de dispense etaient — 1 ® . Les frais encourus dans laconduite des poursuites criminelles par les honorairesdes officiers de la couronne. 2 ^ . Les frais encourus dans la sommation des temoins de la Couronne, dans ces poursuites. 3 ° . Les frais encourus par les allocations faites aux temoins de la couronne dans ces poursuites. 4-°. Le montant des frais resultant du nombre et de l'espi;ce des poursuites criminelles conduits par leg Officiers de la Couronne, dans les Cours Sup^rieures de jurisdiction crimiqelles. M- Sous 178 Under the first head, was to be remedied the increased expense occasioned, by allowiiifj the Solicitor General to charge fees, in criminal prosecutions cunchicted bv the Attorney General. This objectionable cause of expense ori- ginated in an order of Council of 21stAugnbt, I8I7. by which it was directed tlint the Solicitor General should be employed with the Attorney General in all criminal prosecutions, and that he should be allowed for this service the fees granted by the Tariff" of 1801. Under this order, the services which at all times previously had been, and could well be, perfornled, by one Officer, were to be performed by two, with a consequent duplication of the expense. That this in- creased expense was unnecessary, and ought not to be incurred, was very evident, and the Committee recommended it to be discontinued, by rescinding the order above mentioned ; so that, under this first head of expense, the proposed re- duction has been accomplished. Under the second head, a very large expense has been incurred, by per- mitting the person charged with the duty of procuring the attendance of wit- nesses for the Crown, to make a Bill in detail in each prosecution, without, perhaps, a very minute examination of the grounds of his charges. Instead of this mode of remuneration, it was deemed prefci.ible, tliat the service in ques- tion should be performed for a specific sum ht globo, and if 100, was allowed for it, each term. This expense has been further diminished since I came into office, several hundred pounds having been saved tothu public, by the course ( have pursued; and I am not aware that it admits of any further reduction, ex- cept by taking away the cause for this expenditure ; that is, by obtaining the attendance of witness, s, by means of recogni; ticle de d^-pense sujet i\ objection venait dun ordre du Conseil du '21 Voiit 1^17, lequel ordonnait que ie Solliciteur-General fi'tt employe avec le Procureur-Gcnc- ral dans toutes les poursuites criminelles, et qu'il lui fut alloue pour ce service Ics honoraires accord^s par le Tarif de ISOl. D'upres cet ordre, les services qui jus- qu alors avaient (:t^ et pouvaient £tre remplis par un seul otficier, devaient I'ctre par deux, et la consequence en fut une augmentation de frais du double. II £tait tres-evident que cette augmentation de dcpense nY'tait pas ndcessaire, et ne dc- vait pas £tre encourue, et le Comite en recommanda la discontinuation en rescin- dant I'ordre ci-dessus mentionne ; de sorte que, sous ce chapitre de dcpense, la reduction proposee aeu lieu. Sous Ic second chapitre, on a encouru une tres.grande depense, en pcrmet- tant k la personne charg^edu devoir de faire venir les tcmoins dc la couronne, de faire un compte en detail pourchaque poursuite, sans examiner, peut-Ctre,de bicn pros, les fondemens dcses articles. Au lieu de cc mode de retribution, on aprtilrt- que le service fut icmpli pour une somme specifiee en bloc, et il a etc aljoue pour ceia JSIOO pour chaque terme. Cette depense a encore tte diminute dcpuis nioii entree en office, la marche que j'aisuivic ayant epargnu au public plusieurs ccu- taines de louis ; et je ne sache pas qu'il soit possible d'y operer aticune induction ult^rieure, si ce n'est en 6tant la cause de cette depense ; c'est;\-dire en sc procu- rant la presence des ti^moins par cautionnement au lieu de le faire par subpcx'nas. li n'y a pas de doute que si les Juges de Paix remplissaieiit leur devoir, en mcttaiit sous caution les personnes capables de donner temoignago dans les poursuites cri- minelles, et en transmettant regulierement ces cautionnemens aux Cours Crimi- nelles auxquelles ils sont destines, on ferait disparaitrc la nt'cessitc- de sommcr les t(^'moins, et en meme temps cette cause de di'pense. Mais i'extjcuiion dc cv. de- voir est omise dans le plus grand nombre des cas, et de la In continuation tl'iine dtpense qui devrait n'etre pas m'cessaire. Le remede viai et efiicace i"i ce nial se trouverait dans une loi, semblable a une qui a cte recemmeiit lulopte eu Angle- terre, autorisant les Cours Criminelles d'imposer sommairement une amende cen- tre les Juges de Paix qui ncgligeraient de prendre et de transmcttre les caiitioimo- mens de ia maniere prescrite par la loi. Sans une telle loi, il est impossible d'eftec- tuer eflicaccnient I'objet en vue. Tout ce quon peut fiiire en attendant, c'ostcic li- niiter la signification de subpoenas aux cas de ntcessite absolue s'uiement, et d'cu restreindre les frais au moindre montant possible. C'est ce que j'ai fiiit et continue de faire. Sous le truisieme chapitre, le Comite recommanda de ne payer que les tc- moins necessiteux, et que chaque temoin jural|qu'il etaii sans moyens pc^cuniaires On a agi depuis sur cette recommandation ; et on ne peut operer aucune reduction dans ce chapitre de dcpense, si ce nest en autant que ceia peut se faire en adhi- rant strictement ;\ laiec'ommandation du Coniiie, et cnfaisant scru|Uileusement taxer chaque tcmo:n. Depuis queje suis cntre dansl'Office de Procureur-Gineral, je puis dire que cey precautions ont cte rigidement prises, et. qu'il ne reste ricn ;"i faire que je sache, pour diminuer ce ciiapitie de depense. Sous le troisieme chapitre le rapport recommandait que les causes dont pouvaient connaitre les Sessions de Trimestres,fussent poursuivies dans cette Cour. II est ties expedient qu'on agisse en tout temps d'apres cette recommandation, et si on la ird a execution elle doit avoir I'effet de diminuer le nombre des poursuites dans ics Cours Criminelles Superieures. L'officier charge de poursuivre les otienses dans les Sessions de Trimestres est le Greffier dc la Paix ; et il suffit qu'il soil assid ; ;i remplir ce devoir pour accomplir I'objet du Rapport sur ce chapitre. Jesuis d'a- vis qu'il fandrait allouer au Greffier de la Paix une somme raisor.iwiWe pour l\ c«nduitc ■.Mi 180 minal prosecution which it becomes his duty to carry on -, and beyond this, it is only necessary, for the accomplishment of what is desired, that he be compelled to do his duty. Under this view of the subject, it is plain that the reduction of the ex- pense in Criminal prosecutions can only be expected,— First, from a more exact and regular discharge of the duty of Justices of the Peace, in taking and transmitting recognizances. Secondly, from a more exact discharge of the duty of Clerks of the Peace, in prosecuting offences cognizable by the Quarter Sessions. An injunction, in the form of a circular letter, was laid by the Go- vernor on Justices of the Peace, subsequently to the Report in 1832, to dis- charge their duty, in the particular just mentioned. Perhaps a renewal of this Injunction might be of some use; and it might also, perhaps, be of advantage, tliiit the Clerks of the Peace should, by a Circular Letter, be required to dis- charge the duty which, as above mentioned, belongs to their ottice. No other steps than these, and a recommendation to the Legislature to pass an enactment, such as above suggested, tor compelling Magistrates to take and transmit re- cognizances, can, 1 conceive, be adopted by the Executive Government, with a view to the reduction of expenditure, in the administration of justice in criminal cases. ' I have the honor to be, Sir, Your nt'Mt obedient. Humble servant, - • (Signed,) J. STUART, Attorney General. True Copy, J. STUART. No. 2. Affidavit of William Green, Esquire, Clerk of the Crown for the District of Quebec. No. 3. Affidavit of John Kent Welles, Esquire. No. 4. Affidavit of Robert Jones, Esquire. No. 5. Affidavit of Anthony Von Iffland, Esquire. No. 6. 181 conduite de chaque poiirsuite jcriminclle qu'il est de son devoir dc c onduirc ; ct tout ce qui est neccssaire en outre do cela, pour raccnmplisscment dccc qui est desire, c'cst qu'il soitforcti de t'aire son devoir; D'aprcs cet exposes il estclair qu'on ne pent attcndrc de reduction dans Ics fraisdes pouisuites criminclles que — Premiereim -.it d'uiie cxf'cution plus exactc et plus rcguliere du devoir des Jugcs de I'eix, ;i prendre et trnnsmettre Ics can- tionnemens ; Secondement, d'unc cxt'cution plus exacte du devoir des (Jrctticrs de la Paix, dpoursuivre les offenses qui sont de la tomprtence des Sessions do Trimestres. Subsi'qiicmment au rafiport de lH'22 Ic Gouvcrncur a donnt', dans la forme d'une lettre circulaire, injonclion aux .luges dc Paix do rempiir ieur devoir sous le rapport dont il vicnt d'etre fait mention. Pcut-Hre que le rcnouvcllc- ment dc'cetto injonctionserait de quelque utilite; et il pourrait (^treaussi avan- tageux de rcquirir, par unc lettre circulaire, les tireffiers dc la Paix de rempiir cc devoir qui, commcii a (t6 mentionn6 ci-dessus, apparticnt a Ieur office. .le con- 9ois que le Gouvernement Kxccutit' no peut adopter, ci uis la viic de rc'diiirc Ics drpcnses dans rad:ninistration de la justice dans les causes riminclhs, d'uutrcs mcsures que celles-ci, et une rccommandation a la Legislature de passer unc loi, commc il est suggeredlus haut, pour forcer Ics magistrats a prendre et trans- mettre les cautionnemens, J'ai I'ljonneur d'etre. Monsieur, Votre trts-humble et obL'.ssant serviteur, (Sign^,) J. STUART, Frocureur-G^Q^ral. Vraie copie. J. STUART. No. 2. Affidavits de William Green, Ecuyer, Greffierde la Conronne, du Distrfct de Quebec. No. 3. Affidavit de John Kent Welles, Ecuyer. No. 4. AlSdavit de Ro\)ert Jones, Ecuyer. No. 5. , Affidavit d'Antbooy Voa Ifflapd, Ecuyef. No. 6. 182 No. 6. Affidavit of Mr. Ilichard Burke. No. 7. Affiduvit of Mr. John Carter. No. 8. Affidavit of Mr. Michel Glacitemeyer. No. 9. Affidavit of Mr. Louis Paul. (The preceding Affidavits from No. 3, to No. 9, inclusive, will be found in the Appendix to Mr. Stuart's Memorial to Lord Goderith.) |n,:|. ill No. 10. Aff^UM of Mr. Benjamin John Sqjiiller, of the Cily oj Montreal, Gentleman. DiSTRJ'T OF Montreal . } BENJAMIN JOHN SCHILLER, of Montreal, and said District, one of the Tipstaffs of the Court of King's Bench, in and for the said District, late Captain in the 3d battalion of incorporated Militia, during the last war witn the United States of America, being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists, deposcth and saith, That at the Criminal Term of said Court, held in March one thousand eight hundred and thirty, Henry Crebassa, Esquire, Notary Public, residing in the Borough of William Hunry, otherwise, called Sorel, was at Montreal^ afore- said, as a witness in the said Court, as the deponent believes. That towards the close of the said Criminal Term, the said Henry Crebassa, with whom the deponent has been for several years familiarly acquainted, having met with the deponent at the Court house, told him that he, the said Henry Crebassa, had twice called upon the Attorney General, (namely, the Honorable James Stuart,) to sign an affidavit, but that he had not found Mr. Attorney General at his lodgings. That the deponent believes that the said Henry Crebassa told him that, in order that he the deponent might repeat it to the said Attorney Gene* ral, whom he, the deponent, was, in his quality of tipstaf!) in the habit of often seeing. That the next day, or the day aflef, the said Attorney General being on the point of departure for the District of Three Rivers, gave the annexed affidavit to this deponent, telling him at the same time to repair to the said Bo* . . rough 185 No. 6. Affidavit de M. Richard Burke. I No. 7. Affidavit do M. John Carter. No. 8. Affidavit do M. Miclic' '"'ickemeyer. No. Affidavit de M. Louis (Les affidavits pr^ccdcns depuis No. 2 k No. 9, sc trouvent dans I'Appendicc au Memoire de M. Stuart au Lord Goderich.) , No. 10. Affidavit de Mr. Benjamin John Scuiller, de la Cite de Montreal, bourgeois. District de ? montkkal. 5 BENJAMIN JEAN SCHILLER, de Montrdal, dit District, I'un des huissiers de la Cour di: Banc du Roi, dans et pour le dit District, ci«devant Capitaine dans le tro'si^me bataillon do la niiiice incorporce, pendant la der- nicrc guerre uvec les Etats-Unis de l'Ain6riquc, apri;s serment prftt6 sur k-s Saints Evangiles, d^-pose et dit, que dans le terme criminel de laditc Cour qui se tint en Mar.s niil-lniit-ccnt-trente, Henry Crebassa, Eciiyer, Notaire Public, demeurant au IJourg William Henry, autpenient uppeK" Sorcl, etait i Montreal susdit comme I'un des t^moins de la dite Cour, k ce que croit le d6posant. Que vers la Tin du dit ternie criminel, le dit Henry Crebassa, que ce D^posant connait famili^rement depuis plusieurs annees, ayant rencontre le Dcposant k la Maison de Justice, lui dit xjue lui le dit Henry Crebassa avait etc une couple de fois chez le Procureur G6n6ral (savoir I'Honorable James Stuart) pour signer un affidavit, raais qu'il n'avait pas trouve Monsieur le Procureur Gc^neral h. son logis. Que le dcposant croit, que le dit Henry Cr6bassa lui dit ceci pour que lui le Deposant le renetat au dit Procureur Gen6ral, que lui le Dcposant, en sa qualite d'huissier, ^tait dans I'habitude de voir souvent. Que le lenderoain, ou sur- leiidemain, le dit Procureur General, 6tant sur le point de partir pour le District des Truis Rivieres, remit au dit D^'posant 1' Affidavit ci-annexe, lui disant en mcme temps de se rendrc au dit Boufg de William Henry, et de faire signer le dit Affidavit I ,i ,' 31 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I IM IM no Ixa US 2.2 1.8 1.25 |u 1^ 6" — ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 IS* rough of William Henry, and to cause the said Henry Crebassa to sign the said affidavit, after that he had been duly sworn before Lieut. Col. Jones, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said District of Montreal. That the de- ponent having gone to the said Lieut. Col. Jones, he sent him to fetch the said Crebassa. '1 hat the said Crebassa being come, the said Lieut. Col. Jones gave him the said affidavit to read ; that after he had finished reading it, it w as twice read to him by one of the persons who were then present. That the said Cre- bassa then declared that he well understood the contents of the said athdavit, and added, that he had no objection to sign it, but that he wished first to exa- mine whether what was there said of the voters whose names were mentioned in it, agreed or not with his poll hook, and that if the affidavit proved to agree in that respect w ith his poll book aforesaid, he would come back in the afternoon to sign it. That the said Crebassa then waited to take the said affidavit away with him, but the deponent refused to let him do so, because the deponent knew, because he had seen at the election that the said Crebassa was more interested for the opposing Candidate than for the said Attorney General. That, in conse- quence of tilt promise of the said Crebassa, the said deponent left the affidavit with the said Justice of the Peace, and returned to Montreal. That Ihe deponent can say upon his oath that the affidavit hereunto annexed is the same affidavit with which he was entrusted, as has been said, because he well knows the hand- writing, and that in the jurate thereof) there are the words, •• William Henry," which were added to the same at the said Borough, in his presence, as also the date, or the day of the dute, expressed by the figures " 17." The deponent .idds, that it was with surprise that he afterwards saw the said affidavit, without its being provided with the signature of the said Crebassa. And further the de- ponent saith not. Sworn before me, the second day of May, 1831, at Montreal, aforesaid. (Signed) B. J. SCHILLER. (Signed,) BENJAMIN HOLMES, J. P. True Copy. J. STUART. If ^l Affidavit referred to in the foregoing Affidavit of Mr. Benjamin John Schiller. District op Montreal. } HENRY CREBASSA, Esquire, Notary Public, at the Borough of William Henry, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposeth and saith. That he filled the situation of returning Officer at the Election which was held at the said Borough, in the month of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, for electing a Representative for the said Borough in the Provincial Par- liament. That the deponent, in his quality of Returning Officer as aforesaid; administered oath to the persons named Antoinc Aussant, Antoine Hus dit Cournoyer, Nicholas Buckner, Francois Vandal and others, before receiving their voti.s at the said Election. That at the time the said abovementioned per- sons m 185 nffidavlt au dit Henry Crtbassa, apris r|uc cclui-ci aiirait rtc (lucnKiU assir- ment6 devant le Lieut. Col. Jones, I'lin (Us Juges dc I'aix de Sa Majcsti' jjoiu- le dit District de Montreal. Que Ic l)e|1o^-a^t sVtant roiidii cluz lo dit Linit. Col. Jones, cclui-ci envoya chcrchcr le dit Crebassa. Que le dit Crebassa ttant arrive, le dit Lieut. Col. Jones liii donna le dit affidavit a lire ; qu'ayaiit acheve de le lire, il lui fut lu deux fois par une dcs pcrsonius lors presentes. Que le dit Cri-bassa dcclara alors bien coinprendre le eontenu dn dit aflidiuit, et njouta qu'il n'avait aucunc objection de le signer, mais quil voulait anpara- vant voir si ce qui y ttait dit des votenrs dont les noins y ttiiient nicnlionnis s'accordait ou non avcc son livre de poll, et que si I'atHdavit se trouvait ;'i cet tgard conforme avec sou dit livre Je poll, il reviendrait dans rapres-niidi le signer. Quale dit Crebassa voulut alors eniporter le dit affidavit avec lui, niais que le Deposant le lui refusu, parce que le Deposant savait par ce qu'il avait vu i\ Telection, que le dit Cr_ HENRY CREBASSA, Ecuyer, Notaire Public au Bourg de William Henry, ayant tie asserment6 sur les Saints Evangiles, d6pose et dit, qu'il a rempli la charge d'offieier rapporteur al'election qui s'est tenue au dit Bourg, au mois de Juillet, niil-huit-cent-vingt-sept, pour y elire un representant pour le dit Bourg dans le Parlement Provincial. — Que le Deposant en sa qualite d'offieier rappor- teur comme susdit. a fait preter serment aux nommfis Antoine Aussant, Antoine Hus dit Cournoyer, Nicholas Buckner, Francois Vandal, et autres, avant de .recevoir leurs votes il la dite election. Qu'au moment ou les dites personnes susnomtn^es se sont presentees pour donner leurs voix, James Stuart, Ecuyer, un 2 A dcs 1^ I' l\-.^ m M ii: i' ' l' 186 sons presented themselves to give their votes, James Stuart, Esquire, one of the Candidates, objected to their being received, as not being receivable for want of qualification on their part. That the said James Stuart requested the deponent to explain to the abovementioned persons, their want of qualification, and the consequences to which they would expose themselves by taking the oath required in such case, which the deponent declined doing, considerin;^ that his duty was limited to administering the said oath, and nothing else. That there- upon the said James Stuart, as much as the opposition made thereto by the op- posing Candidate and his partisans would allow him, explained to the said above- mentioned persons their want of a right to vote, and also told them the punish- ment to which they would subject themselves by taking a false oath ; but that the said James Stuart, on any of the said occasions when the said abovemen-' tioned person^ took the oath as aforesaid, nor at any other time during the said election, did not, to the knowledge of the deponent, say, or cause it to be under- stood, that in his quality of Attorney General, he alone had the right of prose- cuting the persons who might be guilty of perjury ; nor that those who might vote against him should be prosecuted, whilst those who voted for him had no- thing to fear. And the deponent further saith, that he has no knowledge that during the course of the said election, similar expressions, or any other ex- pressions to which such a meaning could be attached, were uttered or used by the said James Stuart. That it appeared to the deponent that the said James Stuart, in what he said to the said abovementioned persons, on the occasion of the oaths which they took at the said election, intended to put them on their guard, by apprising them of the penalties to which they would expose themselves by taking false oaths, and nothing else. Sworn at William Henry, this lllh March, 1830, be-fore me The foregoing affidavit, not signed or sworn to, is the paper, writing, or affi- davit referred to in the affidavit of George Okill Stuart, £sf?iiire, sworn to before the Honorable James Kerr, Esquire, on the 14th day of M iSl. (Signed) J, KERR. G. O. STUART, Affidavit of George Okill Stuart, Esquire. PROVINCE OF LOWER CANADA. District of Quebec ?'} To wit: GEORGE OKIL STUART, of the City of Quebec, in the Province of Lower Canada, Esquire, Advocate, maketh oath, that he the Deponent, being clerk to James Stuart, Esquire, His Majesty's Attorney General for the Province ofLower Canada, was employed by the said James Stuart, in that capacity, during the Criminal Term of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, held at Montreal in Hm 187 dcs candidatSf a objecte Ik la reception d'icelles comme n'etant pas reccvdbleSf fautesde qualification de leur part. Que le dit James Stuart apri^ le D(^-pusant d'expliqueraux dites personnes susnomm^es leur defaut de qualification, et icd consequences auxquelles ellcs s'exposeraient en pr£tant le serment requis en tel cas, ce que le Deposant a d^clin6 de faire, croyant que son devoir se bornait i leur faire prater le dit sernnent, et pas autre chose. Que le dit James Stuart li^-dessus, en autant que I'oppusition qu'y a fait le candidat adverse et ses par- tisans le lui a permis, a expliqu6 aux dites personnes ci-dessus nommues leur d^'faut de droit de voter, et leur a aussi fait savoir la punition ii laquelle ils s'ex- poseraient en faisant un faux serment : Mais que le dit James Stuart, en aucune ties occasions susdites, oi'i les dites personnes susnomm^es ont pr£t6 serment comme ^usdit, ni en aucuu autre temps, pendant la ditc ^-lection, k la connais- sance du Deposant, n'a dit ni donn^ k entendre qu'en sa qualit^ de Frocurcur General, il avait seal le droit de poursuivre les personnes qui se rendraicnt coupables de parjure, ni que ceux qui voteraient contre lui seraient poursuivis tandis que ceux qui voteraient pour lui n'auraient rien a craindre. £t le D6po- sant dit de plus qu'd n'a aucune connaissance que pendant le cours de la ditc Election, des expressions pareilles, ni aucunes expressions auxquelles on pour- rait donner un tel sens aient etc prof^rees ou employees par Ic dit James Stuart. Qu'il a paru au Deposant que le dit James Stuart,' en ce qu'il a dit au dites personnes susnommees, k I'oucasion des sermens qu'ils ont fait ^ la dite Election, a voulu les mettre sur leur garde, en les pr6veuanl des p^nalit^s auxquelles elles s'exposeraient en faisant de faux serments, et pas autre chosen Assermentd^ William Henry, cell Mars, 1830, devant moi. . i L' Affidavit pr^c^dent, qui n'est ni sign^ ni assermente, est le papier, ^crit, ou Affidavit auquel r6f^re 1' Affidavit de George Okill Stuart, Ecuyer, asserraente devant I'Honorable James Kerr, Ecuyer, le 14e jour de Mai 1831. (Sign6) J. KERR. G. O. STUART. Affidavit de George O'Kill Stuaet, ecuyer. PROVINCE DU BAS-CANADA. * fsV- ■: ,:' District de) Quebec, y Savoir : GEORGE O'KILL STUART, de la Citd de Quebec, dans la Pro- vince du Bas-Canada, Ecuyer, Avocat, jure, que le Deposant ^tant Clerc chez James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur-Gdn^ral de Sa Majest6 pour la Province du Bas-Canada, fut employ6 par le dit James Stuart, en cette capacity, pendant le terme criminel de la Cour du Banc du Roi de Sa Majesty, tenu k Montreal dans le .^VfJ\ ^■^^ 188 the month of Marcli, in the year of our Lord one thousand citfht hundred and thirty. That lie the Deponent was present in the lodgings of the said James Stuart, at Uasco's Hotel, on or about the tenth day of March, in tiie year last aforesaid, at tlie close of the said Term, when Henry Crebassa, of the Uorough of William Henry, Esquire, Public Notary, being there, expressed his readiness to make an ailidavit to contradict certain facts that had been stated, a day or two before, by Wolfrcd Nelson, on his examination as a witness on the trial of one Antoine Aussant for perjury, upon which the said James Stuart reduced t« wiititig the statement of the said Henry Crebassa in the form of an affidavit, the rough draft of whicii, after it had been read over, and approved by the said Henry Crebassa, was given to the Deponent, with directions to make a fair copy of it. That the paper-writiiig hereunto annexed, purporting to be an ailidavit of the said Henry Crebassa, not signed or sworn to, is the fair copy of tlie rough draft of au ailidavit, made l>y the Deponent as aforesaid, and is a true copy of the said rough draft. That the said paper-writing, being such fair copy, was, in the pre- sence of the Deponent, carefully and deliberately read over by the said James Stuait to the said Henry Crebassa, who declared it to be perfectly correct, and expressed his desire to swear to it immediately. That the Deponent received the said paper writing from the hands of the said James Stuart, in the presence of the said llenry Crebassa*, with directions to go with the said Henry Crebassa before one of the Judges of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, in order that he might swear to it ; and the Deponent did accordingly go with the said Henry Crebassa to tli« Court House, for that purpose. That the only Judge whom the Deponent and the said Henry Crebassa found at the said Court liouse was the Honorable Mr. Justice Pyke, who was then on the Bench, and could not be in- terrupted for the purpose of taking the said affidavit, and thereupon the said Henry Crebassa saiil he would call again at two o'clock in the afternoon at the lodgings of the said James Stuart, for the purpose of going with the Deponent before a Judge, to swear to the said affidavit. That thu said Henry Crebassa did not again coiuc to the lodgings of the said James Stuart, for the purpose last aforesaid, either during that day or any subsequent day, while the said James Stuart remained at the said City of Montreal ; and the Deponent, in the course of the same day, learnt that the said Henry Crebassa had left town, on his re- turn to William Henry. And further the Deponent saith not. (Signed) Sworn at the City of Quebec, this 14th day of May, 1831, before me, (Signed,) J. KERR, J. K. B. True Copy, J. STUART. G. O. STUART. District of! Montreal, j No. 11. Affidavit o/* Joseph Allard, qf Sorel, Labourer. JOSEPH ALLARD, of Sorel, Labourer, being sworn, deposeth and saith as follows :— 1 was on the 20th August last, early in the morning, on Mr. See's Wharf 189 Ic mois dc mars ile i'anncc ilc Notre Seigneur mil-Iiuit-ccnt-trcnte. — Que liii lo Di'posant rtait present dans Ics appartenicns dii dit Jumcs Stuart, ;'i rilotcllcric de kasco, Ic ou vers Ic dixicme jour de luars dans I'annee su'-ditc, a la fin du dit termc, lorsque Henry Crcbassu, du IJourg de William-IIenry, Kcuyer, No- laire Public, etant la, diclara iHie ^irct a donner son atViJavit jjour contredire certains f'aits qui avaient t'tc rapportJs, un ou deux jours aupar.i\ant, par WolfVcd Nelson, dans sa deposition commc timoin, dans le proems dun uomnie Antoine Aussant pour parjure ; surquoi le dit James Stuart concha par ('crit le rapport du dit Henry Crebassa dans la forme dun alHdavit, dont le brouillon aprcs avoir et6 lu etapprouve par le dit Henry Crebassa, fut donnti au di'posant, avec ordre d'en fairc Hne copie au net. — Quo I'ccrit cianncxe, donnc pour ctrc le projct d'un affidavit du dit Henry Crebassa., non signc: ni asscrmentu, est la copie au net du dit brouillon. — Que le dit p.ipier ecrit, t'tant telle copie au not, fut en la presence du dit deposant, lu av(!c soin et attention par le dit .Tames Stuart au dit Henry Crebassa, qui le declara ctre parfaitemcnt correct, et cxprima le desir de Tassermentcr siir le champ. Que le di'posant rccjut le dit papier ccrit des mains du dit James Stuart, en la presence du dit Henry Crebassa, avcc ordre d'aller avec le dit Henry Crebassa devant un des Juges de la Cour du Banc du Roi de Sa Majeste, afin qu'il I'assermentAt ; et en consequence le dcposant so rendit avcc le dit Henri Crebassa a la Cour de Justice pour cette fin. Que le seul Juge que le deposant et le dit Henry Crebassa trouvtlrent a la Cour ttait I'lionorable M. le Juge Pyke, qui ctait alors sur le Banc, et qui ne pouvait itre interrompu pour prendre le dit affidavit, ct l;\-dessus le dit Henry Crebassa dit qu'il pouvait reve- nir a deux heurcs de l'apres>midi au logcment du dit James Stuart, pour aller avec le deposant devant un Juge assermcnter le dit alKdavit. Que le dit Henry Crebassa ne revint pas au logis du dit James Stuart pour la fin susdite, ni ce jour la ni aucun jour subsequent, pendant tout le temps que le dit James Stuart demeura dans la dite cite de iMontreal ; et le deposant dans le cours du meme jour, apprit que le die Henry Crebassa avalt laisse la ville, pour s'en retourner crire ce queje lui disais (du moins, il me disait que c'ctaitcelaqu'il faisait). II m'a demande cntreautres choscs qui ctaientles voisins de Camerere. — Je lui ait dit que c'etaitic bon homme Paul Leiebvre et liaptiste St. Jean. Marcoux m'a dit que non, que c'ctait marqu^ sur le livre dc poll autre« ment, que c'(!-tait marqu6 sur le livre de poll, que John Hall et Pierre Credit 6taient les voisins de Camerere. — J'ai dit a M. Marcoux, ** Frenez garde, parce que les voisins sontceux queje vous ait dit."' — M. Marcoux a rupondu, •* lis ver- ront leurs erreurs." — Enfin M. Marcoux a complete son ^xrit, qui contenait k ce queje croyais ma deposition. — Mais il ne m'en a pas fait lecture dans sa maison, et je ne lui ai jamais dit que Camerere avait fait serment au poll. Ayant compk-te son(!'crit, Marcoux m'a demande d'aller dans I'Isle de M. Morrison, oii j'ai it6 avec lui et une douzaine d'autres personnes, parmi lesquelles se trouvaient M. Jean Cr^bassa, M. Kimbert, Guillot, &c. &c. Etant arrive i\ I'Isle j'avais tant bu de rum que je ne savais pas a peine ce queje faisais. Peu de temps apr^s, Mons. Douaire Bondyest arrive k I'Isle, et jeme rappellequ'il m'a demand^ sitoutes les depositions etaient prates. Mons. Marcoux lui a repondu que non, mais que bient6telles seraient pr(ites. Au bout de quelque temps, j'ai ^teappel^ pour faire serment ilia deposition, Mons. Kimbert s'est mis ((\ ce que j'ai cru) en devoir de la lire. Je ne me rappelle pas h present du contenu de ce qu'on me lisait, mais je me rappelle d'avoir dit que son "nQm n'etait pas Jean Camerere ;'' a quoi M. Mar- coux a r^^pondu, ** C'est nous autres qui marquons cela." T)r y f Conrt of Kings liench for the district of Mon- treal, Louis Charles Fouclier, George I^yke, and Norman Fitzgerald Uniacke, Esquires, Justices of the said last-nuiitioned Court, John Richardson, Toussaint I'othier, Samuel CJale, and Louis Guy, Esquires, and others their fellows, Jus- ticcs of our Slid Lord the King, assigned by Letters I'ntent of our said Lord the King under the Great Seal of the said Province, to the same Justices above named and others, their fellows. Justices of our said Lord the King, or any two or more of them, directed, of whom one of them the said James Reid, Louis Charles Foucher, George I'yke, and Nurman Fitzgerald Uniacke, amongst otl.ers in the said Letters Patent named our said Lord the King willed to be one, to inquire more fully the truth by the oath of good and lawful men of the said district of Montreal, and by other ways, methods and means, by which they shoidd or might better know, as well within liberties as without, by whom the truth of the matter might be better known and inquired into, of all treasons, misprisions of treason, insurrections, rebellions, counterfeitings, clippings, washings, false coining<«, and other falsities of the money of the United Kingdom of Great Bri- tain and Ireland, and all other kingdoms and dominions whatsoever, and of all murders, felonies, manslaughters, killings, burglaries, rapes of women, unlawful meetings and conventicles, unlawful uttering of words, assemblies, misprisions, confederacies!, false allegations, trespasses, riots, routs, retentions, escapes, con- tempts, falsities, negligences, concealments, maintenances, oppressions, cham- perty, deceits, and all other evil doings, offences, and injuries whatsoever, and also the accessaries of the same, within the district aforesaid, as well within the liberties a< without, by whoms' ever, and in what manner soever done, committed or perpetrated, and by what porson or persons, when, how, and after what man- ner, and of all articles and circumstances concerning the premises, and of every of them, or any one or more of them, in any manner whatsoever, and the said treasons and other the premises according to the laws and customs of England, and of the said Provmce of Lower Canada for this tnne, to hear and determine, and also .lustices of our said Lord the King, assigned by other Letters Patent of our said Lord the King, under his Great Seal of the said Province to the same justices above named, and others their fellows, or dny two or more of them directed, of whom one of them the said James Reid, Louis Charles Foucher, George Pyke, and Norman F'itzgerald Uniacke, amongst others in the said last mentioned Letters Patent named our said Lord the King willed to be one, the gaol 193 cham> No. 19. Copie dun acle d'aceutalion pour subornalion de parjurc contre Louit Marcoux, PROVINCE DU BAS-CANADA. District de) montbeal. 3 Savoir : Qu'on so rappelle qu'^ une seuion d'oyer et terminer ct ile dfilivrnnce S^n^rale cle la prison de Notre Souverain Seigneur le Roi, de et pour Ic district e Montreal, dans la Province du Bas-Canada, commenc^e et tenuc dam la Cuur de Justice de la Citd de Montr^-al, dans le dit district de Montreal, ic vendrcdi deuxi(-me jour de nuvembre, dans la i)uiti«ime ann£e du r^gne dc Notre Souvc- rain Seigntur ic Roi George Quatre, pur la grdce de Dieo, Roi du Royauinc- Uni de la Grande-Bretagneet d'Irlande, D^fenseur de la Foi, duvant I'Honorablc James Reid, Ecuyer, JugeenChefde la Cour du Banc du Roi de Sa Majesty- {ibur le District de Montr^-al, Louis Charles Fou:;her, George Pyke, ct Normuti Mtzgerald Uniacke, Ecuyers, Juges de la Jite Cour mentionnt'-e en dernier lieu, John Richardson, Toussaint Pothier, Samuel Gale, et Louis Guy, Ecuyers, et autres adjoiuts, juges de notre dit Seigneur le Roi, nomm6s par Lettres Pa< tentes de noire dit Seigneur le Roi sous le Grand Sceau de la dite Province, aux Juges ci-dessus nomm^s, et autres, leurs adjoints, Juges de notre dit Seigneur le Roi, ou deux ou plus d'entre eux, desquels les dits James Reid, Louis Charles Foucher, George Pyke et Norman Fitzgerald Uniacke, seraient un, cntrc autres nommes dans les dites Lettres Patentes de notre dit Seigneur lo Roi, pour s'en- auerir plus pleinement par le serment d'hommes de bien et loyaux du dit district e Montreal, et par autres voies, m^thodes et moyens, par lesqucls ils pourraient mieux connaitre, tant en dedans qu'en dehors des liberies, par qui la v^ritc des matidres pourrait £tre mieux connue et recherch^e, de la v6rit£ de toutes trahi- sons, misprisions de trahison. insurrections, r6bellions, forgeries, rognures, ctTa- 9ures, faux-monnayages, et autres contrefapons de la monnaie du Royaume- Uni de la Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande et de tous les autres Royaumes ct Do- maines quelconqucs, et de tous roeurtres, ftlonies, homicides, meurtres, vols, viols de t'emmes, reunions, et couventicules illicites, paroles illigales, assemblies, misprisions, compiot, faux all^gu^, voies de fait, £meutes, retentions, fuites, tentatives, fausset^s, negligences, receliemens, maintenances, oppressions, cham- pert!/, tromperies et de tous autres m^faits, offenses et injures quelconqiies, et aussi des accessoires k iccuyr, ()an8 le district susdit, tant en dedans qu'en dehors des libert^s, quelles que suient les personnes par qui, en la mani6re dont ils au- ront €t6 fails ou commis, et par quelle personne ou personnes, quand, comment et de qiielle mani^re, et de tous articles et circonstances concernant les pr^misies, et de tous, ou d'aucun, ou de plus d'iceux, en aucune maniere quelconque, ct les dites trahisons et autres offenses, juger et determiner selon les lois et coutumes d'Angleterre, et de la dite Province du Bas-Canada pour le temps d'alors ; ct aussi les Juges de notre Seigneur le Roi nommes par d'autres Lettres Patentes de notre dit Seigneur le Roi, sous le Grand Sceau ae la dite Province, adress^es aux m6mes Juges ci-dessus nommds et autres leurs adjoints, ou k denx ou plus d'entre eux, desquels les dits James Reid, Louis Charles Foucher, George Pyke, et Norman Fitzgerald Uniacke, seront un, entre autres nommes dans les dites Lettres Patentes de notre dit Seigneur le Roi mentionn^es en dernier lieu, pour d^Iiyrer la Prison de notre dit Seigneur le Roi de son dit District de Montr Mar- ti;,'!!}, Joliii Yuli>, Arthur Webster, John I'ortcous, Ocorj^c I). Arnohh, William .Siuitli, Charles Moriisuu, Isaac Vulctitini<, JuHcph lU>y, Jac(|uecared as a Freeholder at the suid election and poll, at the said Borough of William Henry, and then and there polled nnd gave his vote as such Freeholder, without any objectiun having been made to his right of voting, by or on the part of either of the said Candidates, and without any other oath having been required fiom him, as to his qualificution to vote as aforesaid. — And the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do further present that Louis Marcoux, late of the said Borough of William Henry, in the parish aforesaid, in the county afore- said, in the district aforesaid, gentleman, being a person of an evil mind and wicked disposition, aqd not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by tho instigation of the devil, and wickedly and ma- liciously devising and intending unjustly to vex and aggrieve the said Jean Ca- meraire, and to subject him to the punishment, pains and penalties by the laws ufthis Province provided for persons guilty of Perjury, on the twentieth day of August, in the eighth year aforesaid, at the Parish of Berthier, in the County of Warwick, in the district of Montreal aforesaid, did falsely, corruptly, knowingly and wilfully solicit, suborn, and procure one Joseph Allard, to go before Joseph Douaiie Boudy, Esquire, then and yet one of the Justices of tne Peace of our said Lord the King, assigned to keep the peace of our said Lord the King in and for , I ili^ \d5 John JamicKon, Thoma!i Barron, Tharles Stiinrt, T,oiii« Parbeaii, .TarquPi MartignT, John Yule, Arthur Welwlcr, John Portcoiii. (icorj^c I). Ai I.. .1.' ...... .^..., , - - ... )rj?c l>. ArnoUli, William Smith. Charles Morrison, Imiac Valentine, Jo^teph Floi, Jacques I*. S. «lc neaiijen, William Molson, Sumiivl Gcrrarcl et (icorge (irCRory, Krtiycrs, hommrfi dc bicn ct loyatix ilii District dc Montrial snsdit, ici maiiitonant asscr- nienti's et charjjes de s'cnriiK'rir noiir notrc dit Suif^ncur le Roi pour le corps dii ilistrirt, tonchant ct concernint Ics nr^-misscs nuiitionn^os dans Ics ilitcs deux Lettrcs I'utcntes, il est prt'scntu dans la nianicrc ct furmccontcnuuduns facto d'.ic* cusation annexe k cettc c^dulc. MoNTRXAi., savoir :— Lcs Jurrfs dc notro Seigneur le Roi cxiioscnt sous Icur scrmcnt : — Quo ci-dcvant, savoir, lo vingt-cin(|uii''me jour de Juiilct, dans lahuitit'mc iiiuioc ilu rigno do notro Souverain Seigneur Ic Uoi George Qiiatre, par i.i giAco dc Dicu, lloi du Iloyaumc-Uni de la (iraudcllrctagne ct d'lihiudc, Driensenr do la Foi, au Bonrg de William Flenry dans la Paroisse dc St. Pierre dc Son I, dans lo (.'omtJ de Richelieu, dans le District de Montreal, une election d'lin bourgeois po If le dit bourg pour repr/senter Ic dit boiirg dans I'Assemblic dc cettc Pro- vince, a ttrc tcnue dans la Cite do Qutbcc, Ic vingt-cinquicnie jour I'Aoi'it nlors suivant, f'ut dCimcnt tenuc et cut lieu, en vertu d'un ccriain writ dVlcction de noire Souvtrain Seigneur Ic Roi, dumcnt (imauL' avant cc temps, ct adrcssc .'i rOIHcier-flapporteur du dit Bourg, sous ct en conformite d'un certain instru- ment dc notrc dit Souverain Seigneur Ic Roi, sous le Grand Sceau de cctte Pro- vince, dat6 du ChiUcau St.-Louis, dans la Cit6 do Quebec, le cinquicme jour de Juillet, dans l'ann6e de notre Seigneur mil-huit-cent-vingt-scpt, pour sommcr ct convoquer uno asscmblt'c dans ct pour cettc Province, a laquclle dite Election James Stuart ct Wolfred Nelson ulaient Candidats pour reprcscnter Ic dit Bourg, en qualitc de tcl bourgeois commc susdit, dans la ditc Assscmblce, ct il f'ut l:\ ct aiors dAment accord?; ct tcnu uii poll pour prendre les votes des £lectcurs du dit bourg afin d'clirc un bourgeois commc lusHit ; et pendant quo la ditc t'lection se tenait pt sc faisait commc susdit, subs^quemment, savoir lo vingt* cinqui^me jourde Juillef, dans la liuiticme ann<-e susdite, nn nommc Jean Ca- merairc, se prd'senta comme franc-tenancicr a la ditc election et au dit poll, an dit bourg dc >A'illiam Henry, ct la ct alorg donna sa voix comme Icl franc-tenaiw cicr sans qu'il fut object^ k son droit de voter, par ou dc la part d'aucun des dits Candidats, ct sans qu'on I'eut requis de prcter aucun sermcnt sur sa qualifi- cation il voter commc susdit. — Et Ics Jun's susdits sur lour scrment susdit, repru- sentent de plus que Louis iMarcoux, ci-devant du dit bourg de William Henry, dans la paroisse susditc, dans le comt6 susdit, dans le district susdit, Gentleman, etant une personnc d'un esprit malin, ct de disposition m6chante, ct n'ayant pas lacrainte de Dieu devant les yeux, mais ^tant s^duit et aid par I'instigation du d^mon, et dans la vue et le desir mechant et malicicux de vexer injnstemcnt le dit Jean Camcraire, et de Pexposer au chutiment, pcines et pcnalit^s imposi-s par lcs lois de cette province contre les personncs coupables dc parjure, le vingtie-me jour d'Aofit, dans la huiti^mc ann^e susdite, en la paroisse de Berthier, dans le comt6 de Warvrick, dan^ le District de Montreal susdit, sollicita, suborna et induisit fhussement, criminellement et sciemment un nomm6 Joseph AUard, ii aller devant Joseph Douaire Bondy, Ecuyer, alors et encore un des Juges de Paix de notre dit Seigneur le Roi, nomme pour maintenir la Paix de notre dit Sc^^nreur le Roi dans et pour le dit district de Montreal, et aussi pour entendre et juger diverses felonies, offenses, et autres d^lits dans le dit district, et h accu- ser ■ } \t r 196 % for the said district of Montreal, and also to hear and determine divers felonies, trespasses, and other misdemeanors in the said District committed, and charge the said Jean Camerairc with Perjury, and make oath that the said Jean Came- raire had then lately before at the said election been guilty of Perjury. And the Jurors aforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid, do further present, thai incon- sequence, and by the means, encouragement, and eflect of the wicked and cor- rupt subornation and procurement of the said Louis Marcoux, he, the said Jo> sepli Allard, afterwards to wit, on the said twentieth day of August, in the eighth yearafuresaid, at the parishof Berthier aforesaid, in the county aforesaid, in the dis- trict aforesaid, did go in his proper person before the said Joseph Douaire Bondy, being such Justice as aforesaid, and then and there having suthcient power and au> thority to administer an oath, and take the deposition of the said Joseph Allard hereinafter mentioned, and the said Joseph Allard was then and there sworn and took liis corporal oath, before the said Joseph Douaire Bondy, on the Holy Gospel of God ; and the said Joseph Allard, being so sworn as aforesaid, by the means, and in consequence, of the said wicked solicitation, subornation and procurement of the said Louis Marcoux. d^ ' Mien and there, upon his oath as aforesaid, in a written deposition then andtiicie taken by and be- fore the said Justice, touching the charge of Perjury by the said Joseph Allard, so as aforesaid made against the said Jean Cameraire, falsely, wickedly, malicious- ly, and corruptly say, depose and swear, (amongst other things,) in substance and to the effect following ; that is to say, that Jean Cameraire, of William Henry and District aforesa'id, invalid, (meaning the said Jean Cameraire herein- before named,) on the twenty-fifth day of the month of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, did take his oath, and swear before Henry Crebassa, Esquire, Returning Officer of the said Borough of William Henry, on the Royal Square, (to wit, on a square called the Royal Square, at and in the said Borough,) at an Election there, for electing a Member to represent the said Borough in the Assembly of Lower Canada ; that he the said Jean Cameraire was quahfied to vote at the said Election, as proprietor, as being possess?;! for his own proper use and benefit, in virtue of a legal title in the said I^orough, of a Lot of Ground and Dwelling-house thereon, joining on one^ide to John Hall, and on the other to Joseph Pierre Credit ; and that the said Lot of Groiind and Dwelling-house thereon belonging to him was of the yearly value of five pounds, sterling, that is to say., five pounds eleven shillings and one penny farthing, cur- rency, or more, over and above all rents and charges payable upon or in re- spect of the same ; and that the said Jean Cameraire (meaning the said Jean Camerntre, first above named,) had been really in possession of the said lot of ground and dwelling-house thereon, or of the receipt of the rents and profits thereof, fur his own use, during six calendar months and more, immediately pre- ceding the sa:d election ; and that the said Jean Cameraire, (meaning the said Jean Cameraire first above mentioned,) in swearing as aforesaid, had been and was guilty of wilful perjury : Whereas, in truth and in fact, the said Jean Cameraire, hereinbefore and in the said written deposition of the said Joseph Allard named^ did not, on the twenty fifth day of July, one thousand eight himdred and twenty seven, or at ai^y other time, take his oath, or swear before the said Henry Crebassa, Returning Officer for the said Borough Henry, on the Royal Square, or elsewhere, at any Election for electing a Member to represent the said Borough of William Henry in the Assembly of Lower Canada, or on any other occasion, that he the said Jean Cameraire was qualified to vote at the said Election, or at any Election whatever as proprietor and being possessed for his own proper use and benefit or otherwise in virtue of a legal title or otherwise, in the said Borough, of a lot of ground and dwelling-house thereon, joining on one side to John que, V M 197 serledit Jean Cameraire dc parjurc, ct A jurer que le dit Jean Cameraire sVlait peu de temps aiiparavant, k la dite Election, rendu coupable de parjure. — Et ies dits Jures susdits, sous leur serment susdit, rcpr^sentent en outre, qu'cn consequence, et par le moyen, rencouragement et I'effet dc la subornation et sollicitation mechante ct corrompuc du dit Marcoux, iui, le dit Joseph Allard, subs^quemment, savoir, le dit vingti6me jour d'Aoitt, dans la huiti^nie annec susdite, en la paroisse dc Berthier susdite, dans le comti6 su&dit, dans le district susdit, se rendit en personnc devant le dit Joseph Douaire Bondy, Juge dc Paix comme susdit, etayant \k et alors autoriti'- suffisante pour administrer un serment, et prendre la deposition du dit Joseph A.llurd ci-apres mentioiin^e, ct le dit Joseph Allard fut \h et alors asserment(^ ct prcta serment corporel, devant le dit Joseph Douaire Bondy, sur le St.-Evangile dc Dicu ; et le dit Joseph Allard, crite \k et alors prise par et devant Ic dit Juge de Paix, touchant Taccusation de parjure par le dit Joseph Allard, ainsi faite comme susdit contrc le dit Jean Cameraire, dit, deposa et jura faussement, malicieusement, mechammcnt et criminellemcnt (ontre autres choses,) en subs- tance et i\ I'effet suivant : c'est-a-dire, que Jean Cameraire, de William Henry et district susdit, invalide (parlunt da dit Jean Cameraire ci-devant nomm6,) le vingt-cinquicme jour du mois d( ./uillct, mil-huit-cent-vingt-sept, pr6ta serment et jura devant Henry Cr^bassa, Ecuyer, Officier-Rapporteur du dit bourg de William Henry, dans le Royal Square, (c'est-i\-dire dans un endroit appelu le lloyal Square, A et dans le dit bourg,) ii une (['lection qui s'y faisait, pour elire un uiembre pour repr([>senter le dit bourg dans I'Assembl^e du Bas-Canada, que Iui le dit Jean Cameraire etait qualifie i\ voter a la dite 6lection, comme propric- taire, comme ^'tant en possession pour son propre usage et avantage, en vertu d'uh titre legal, dans le dit bourg, d'un lot de terre et maison y Irig^c, joignant d'un c6te John Hall et de I'autre Joseph Pierre Credit, et que le dit lot de terre et maison y ^rig^e k Iui appartenant de la valeur annuelle de cinq livrcs sterling, c'est-a-dirc, cinq livres onze schelings et un denier et un quart coiirant, ou plus, hors et en sus de toutes rentes et charges payables sur ou i\ 1 egard d'iceux, ct que le dit Jean Cameraire (parlant du dit Jean Cameraire mentionn6 ci-dessus,) avait ete rc'cllement en possession du dit lot de terre et maison y 6rigee, ou de la recette des rentes et profits d'iceux, pour son propre usage, pendant six mois de Calendricr et plus, immediatenient avant la dite Election, et que le dit Jean Cameraire (parlant du dit Jean Cameraire nomme en premier lieu,) en jurant comme susdit, avait et£ et s'ctait rendu coupable de parjure volontaire : Attcndu que, en v(jrite et de fait, le dit Jean Cameraire, nomme ci-devant et dans la deposition ecrite du dit Joseph Allard, ne fit serment ni ne jura, Ic vingt-cin- qi^mejour de Juillet, mil-huit cent-vingt-sept, ni en aucun autre temps, devant le dit Henry Cr^bassu, Officier-Rapporteur, pour le dit bourg de William Henry, sur le Royal Square, ou ailleurs, a aucune < lec'aon pour elire un membrc pour representer le dit bourg de William Henry dans I'Assemblcedu Ras-Canada, ni cu aucune autre occasion, que Iui le dit Jean Cameraire ^taitqUalific :\ voter a la dite election, ou aucune dectiou quelconque, comme propri^taire ou ctant en posses- sion pour son propre usage et avantage ou autrement, en vertu d'un titre legal ou autrement, dans le dit bourg, d'un lut de terre ft maison y erigee, joignant d'un c6te John Hall, et de I'autre Joseph Pierre Credit, ou d'aucun autre lot de terre ct maison, et que le dit lot de terre et maison y Erigee a Iui appartenant, etaient dc la valeur annuelle de cinq livres sterling, c'est-i\-dire, cinq livres onzc schelings et un denier un quart courant, ou plus, hors et en sus de toutes rentes et charges payables sur ou u I'egard d'iceux, et que le dit Jean Cameraire avait ^'te reellement en possession du dit lot de terre et maison y 6'igec, ou de la re- cette des rentes ou profits d'iceux pour son propre usage, pendant six mois de Calendricr ou plus, ou aucuu autre temps immediatement avant la dite election ; Kt an L Hi 198 :'i I John Hall, and ou the other to Joseph Pierre Credit, or of any other lot of ground and dwelling-house ; and that the said lot of cround and dwelling, house thereon belonging to him was of the yearly value of five pounds sterling, that is to say, five pounds eleven shillings and one penny farthing, currency, or more, over and above all rents and charges payable upon or in respect of the same ; and that the said Jean Caraeraire had been really in possession of the said Jpt of ground and dwclliug-bouse thereon, or of the receipt of the rents and profits thereof fur his own use, during six calendar months or more, or any other time immediately preceding the said Ele.ction ; — And whereas in truth and in fact, he the said Jean Cameraire, hereinbefore, and in the said written deposition named, did not, on the twenty fifth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and tNreaty seven, or before or after that day, take any oath whatever, or swear in any manner whatever, before the said Henry Crebassa, Returning OfHccrfor the said Borough of William Henqr, touching his qualification to vote at the said Election, or touching and concerning ttie matters and things in the said written deposition contained, or touching or concerning any other matter or thing whatsoever; and whereas in truth and in fact, he the said Jean Cameraire, liereinbefore and in the said deposition named, was not by swearing as aforesaid, or inany other manner or way,guilty of wilful perjury. And so the jurorsaforesaid, upon their oath aforesaid do say, that the said Louis Marcoux, on the said *20th day of August, in the 8th year aforesaid, at the Parish of Berthier aforesaid, in the County aforesaid, in the District aforesaid, did falsely, corri-ptly, knowingly, wilfully, and wickedly suborn and procure the said Joseph Allard to commit wilful and corrupt perjury,' in and by his oath aforesaid, before the said Joseph Douaire Bondy so then and there having lawful and competent authority to ad- minister the said oath, to the great displeasure of Almighty Cjod, in contempt of our said Lord the King and his laws, to the evil and bad example of all others in the like case offending, and against the peace of our said Lord the King, his Crown and dignity. (Signed) J. STUART, Attorney General. (Signed) J. DELISLE, C. R.O. & T. & G. G. D. A true Copy. • ■ . f J. DELISLE, C. K. Crown. iill -ill 199 Et attendu quf;. ^.ritablcment et de fait, le dit Jean Catiieraire, iiommti ci-dc- vant et dans la due deposition trict susdit, suborna et indnisit faussement, critnincllement, sciemment ct m(- chamment le dit Joseph ^llard a commettrc un parjure volontaire ct corrompu, dans et par son surmcnt susdit, devant le dit Joseph Douaire liondy, ayani ainsi la et alors autorite legale et comp6tcnte a administrcr le dit serment, au grand d^plaisir du Dieu Tout-puissant, au m^pris de notre dit Seigneur le Roi et de ses Lois, au grand scandale des autres offensants en pareil cas, et contre la paix de notre dit Seigneur le Roi, sa Couronne et sa.dignite. (Signe.) J. STUARTi Procureur-General, (Signe,) J. DELISLE, C. R. O. & T. & G. G. D. n: Vraie Copie. J. DELISLE, C. R. Couronne. 'V •' ••! •■7M ' '•ll 1>^^ 20O (Indorsed) COURT OF OYER AND TERMINER AND GENERAL GAOL DELIVERY, MONTREAL. November Session, 1827. THE KING V. LOUIS MARCOUX. ri,: A True Bill, , INDICTMENT for SUBORNATION OF PERJURY. H. MACKENZIE, Foreman. Witnesses, Henry Crebassa, Esq. Narcisse Crebassa. Michel GlackmeyeR. Jean Cameraire. Joseph Douaire Bondy, Esq. JosEFH Allard. Pierre Jos. Chevrefils, Esq. No. 13. Jiffidaint (ff Mr. Francis Gazaille dit St; Germain, late of the Borough qf ffilliam Henry, now of the Parish oj St. Remi, in the District of Montreal, Yeoman. District of Montreal. } FRANCOIS GAZAILLE dit ST. GERMAIN, late of William Henry, in the Seignory of Sorel, in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, now of the Parish of St. Remi, in the said District, Yeoman, having been duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposeth and saith, that at the pe- riod at which the election was held at the said Borough, in July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, he the deponent resided there. That James Stuart, Esquire, Attorney General of His Majesty for the Province of Lower Canada, and Wolfred Nelson, of St. Denis, in the said district, physician, were candidates OL 201 (Endossc.) COUR D'OYER ET TERMINER ET DE DELIVRANCE GENERALE DES PRISONS, MONTREAL. Session de Novembre, 1827. LE ROI v$ LOUIS MARCOUX. ACTE D'ACCUSATION. pour SUBORNATION DE PARJURE. Vrai Bill. H. MACKENZIE, President. » Esq. s, Esa. Timoins. Henrt Crebassa, Ecr. Narcisse Crkbassa. Michel Glackemeyeh. Jean Cameraire. Jos:epii Douaire Bondy, Ecr. Joseph Allard. Pierre Jos. Chevkefils. rough qf tontreal. No. IS. A^davit de Mr. FRAN9ors Gazaille dilS-r. Germain, ci-devant du Bourg de William Henry t mainlenant de la Paroisse de St. Remi, District de Montreal, Ctillivateur. Henry, ■ Lower , having ;the pe- ihousand it James f Lower an, were indidates DiSTKICT DeI MpNTREAL. J . FRANCOIS GAZAILLE dit St. GERMAIN, ci-devant notable cultiva- teur, r^sidant k William Henry, en la Seigneurie de Sorel, district de Montreal, province du Bas-Canada, maintenant de la paroisse de St. R6mi, dit district, apres serment pretd sur les Saints Evangiles, d6pose et dit que lors de I'election qui se tint au dit Bourg, en Juillet, miUhuit-cent-vingt-sept, le d^posant y resi- dait.— Que James Stuart, Ecuyer, Procureur General de Sa Majesty, pour la proyince du Bas Canada, et Wolfred Nelson, de St. Denis, dit district, m6decin, etaient candidats a la dite Election. Que par un certain acte fait et pass6 ii «C William ■f«.;. i^; ■■■ ;• 'I 202 p. :!, 'f candidates at the said election. That by a certain deed, made and executed at William Henry, the fifteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty two, before Crebassa and Holland, public notaries, the deponent and Charlotte Mcncclier his wife, by him duly authorized, made a gifr, or donation in favour of Francois Gazaille dit St. Germiin, their son, of all their estates real and personal, consisting of three lots of ground situated in the said Bo.ough, upon two wiiereof were erected dwelling houses and other buildings, and the third without any building thereon ; and aino a lot of land of two arpcnts in front, by twenty arpeiits, more or less, in depth, situated in the said sii^nory of Sorel. That the deponent is under the fullest persuasion, and verily and in his conscience believes, that he is vested with a life-estate (usufruit pnur la vie) in one or the other of the said two dwelling houses, in virtue of a reservation or special stipulation to this effect, which he verily believes to have been inserted, and to be contained, in the said deed of gift ; and this right he conceives to be so complete in him, that it is not in the power of his son to sell either of the said houses during his life, without his consent. - That, from the time of executing the said deed of gift, he has always considered himself to be proprietor, during his life, of whichever of the said houses he might choose, to have the usufruct thereof, and dispose of such usufruct as he might think fit, in virtue of the said reservation. That in the evening of the first day of the said .election in July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven, the said Wolfred Nelson came to the house of the deponent, in the said Borough, being one of the said dwelling houses, which was then inhabited, as it had been for two years previously, by the deponent and his wife, alone, with their servant, in virtue of the said usufruct or life estate. That the said Wolfred Nelson then solicited the vote of him, the deponent, and at the same time inquired of him in what manner he had disposed of his property. That the deponent, in answer, told the said Wolfred Nelson, that by his deed of gift he had reserved to himself a life estate Cun droit d'nsu- J'ruil pour la vie J in one of the said houses, at his option ; whereupon the said Wolfred Nelson told the deponent that he hart a right to vote ; and that if any • difficulty was made about it at the poll, he, the said Wolfred Nelson, would soon put an end to it. That the deponent did not promise the said Wolfred Nelson to vote for him. That the next morning, the deponent having made up his mind to vote for the said James Stuart, was desirous, for his greater satisfac- tion as to his right of voting, of consulting the said Henry Crebassa, before •whom the said deed of gift had been executed, and went to him for that puipose, but the said Henry Crebassa refused to give him any information or advice on the subject, and told the deponent to do as he pleased ; whereupon the deponent left him confirmed in the belief of his right to vote, and went to the poll to give his vote. That the said Henry Crebassa, as Returning Officer, having asked the deponent for whom he voted, the deponent answered that he gave his vote for the said James Stuart ; whereupon an altercation CdifficiiUeJ took place be. tween the two Candidates^ and while it continued, the deponent withdrew from the table. That the deponent soon after returned, and took the oath of (jualifica- tion to entitle him to vote, in the sincere nnd firm belief that the said Deed of Gift contained a reservation and stipulation of the nature above mentioned, which belief he still conscientiously retains. — That the deponent took the said oath voluntarily, and of his own free will and accord. That it was the said Henry Crebassa who put the Holy Evangelists into his hand. — That he did not hesitate an instant to kiss the book, inasmuch as he felt no repugnance whatever to take the oath, being convinced that he had a right to do so, in virtue of the said reservation in his Deed of Gift, and having, besides, already exercised the same right, at the solicitation of the said Wolfred Nelson, in favour of two mem- bers for the county of Richelieu, in which the said borough is situated. That the deponent 203 William Henry, le qninzi^me jour de Mnrs, mil-huit-cent-vingt-deux, pardevaiit Ics nommes Crebassa et Holland, Nolaires Pul)|ics, lo deposaiit et Charlotte Meneclier, sa femme, de lui dilment autorisec, fireiit line donatiun en faveurdi- Francois Gazaille dit St. Germain, leur fils, de tous ct clnciins leurs biens ineubles et immcubleR, consistant en trois emplacements, situus au dit Bourjf, dont deux avec maisonset autres batisscs dessus contruites, ct Ic troisicme sans aucun batiment, ct encore une tcrre de deux arpcns de fVont sur vinjyt plus on moins de profondeur, sitii(l' en la dite Siigneurie de Sorcl. Que le deposunt est pyrtiiitement persuade, et croit dans son ame ct conscience, qu'il a I'usufruit pour III vie del'une ou de I'autredes dites maisoiis bi\ties sur deux des dits em- placements, et ce en vertu d'une riJserve on convention expresse, c|u'il rroit aussi en son ameet conscience avoir etc inseree et ctre conteniie a cetcfti.'t au dit acte de donation. Qn'il croit que ce droit lui appartient si bien, qu'il n'est pas au pouvoir do son dit fils de vendre I'une ou I'autre des dites maisons, sans son consentement pendant sa vie. Que depuis la passation du ^it acte de donation il s'est toujours crn proprietaire pendant sa vie de cellc des dites maisons qu'il lui plairait de choirsir pour en avoir I'usufruit et disposer du dit usufruit, comnie bon lui semblerait, etce en vertu de la dite reserve. Que le soir du premier jourde la dite six ou quarante piastres dcloyer, par ann^-e, ou plutot c'etait 1:\ leur valeur annuelle jlil ri' rr- It "■■ii ■ I ■| 1 206 Raid houses i» of the onnuol value, in rent, of twenty pounds currency, and the other of thirty six or forty dollars, or ratlier, they would have rented for these sums at the time ope of them was inhabited by his said father and mother. And the deponent further saith, that from what passed between him and his said father at the time of the execution of the said deed of gif\, he the deponent considers himself bound to allow to his father the enjoyment of a life-estate in that one of the said two houses which was inhabited by his said father as aforesaid ; and he conceives himself ti» be under this obligation, although the verbal agreement between the deponent and his said father and mother has not been included in the said deed, to the same extent, and as largely and amply as was imported by the said verbal agreement touching the said life-estate } and if the deponent, at the time of the reading of the said deed by tlie Notary, did not cause the said deed to be corrected, it was because he ■was satisfied that with his feelings of filial love and respect, the said obligations would always be fulfilled by him, as being of a sacred character. (Signed) FIIS. ST. GERMAIN. Sworn before me, thlsCth May, 1831, the Deponent having declared that he had himself read the said deposition, and that it contains the truth. (Signed) P. T. PINSONAULT. No. 15. »^^ gnage qu'on lui assignait ; et le dit James Stuart, sans entrer dans aucune expli- cation avecled^-posant, lui dit, que si ses rcponses avaient ^tc rapportees fausse- ment et incorrectement k la Chambre d'Assemblee, le moyen convenable a prendre ^taitde s'adressera la Chambre d'Assembl^-e par Petition, demandant qu'il lui fut donne une occasion de corriger les erreurs et inexactitudes qui avaient et6 commises dana 20S I . ill taking down and reporting his nnswcrx.- Tlint the Doponent, from the luto period lit' tlu! ScHsion nt'wliicli ho ht'cnmc ncciuaintcd witli the incor. rvctitfSR of the ovidt net' nMcrilx'd tu liini on iit'orcKaid, and from other circuni- •tancc!*, could not succicd in obtaining the i oiroction of the evidence conlaini'd in tho lltport ol t!ii' naid Committee, — And the Di-pncnt further saiih, thnt in tho evidenc'OiiHcriljcd t(» him in the Report of the said ('onimiltco, styled '• The Second Rtpoit of tho Comndttcr of Gri( vnncc«<," there has been a •inpprcs.sion of nmterial f lets and clrcuniHtanccs whifh made part of the Depu- neul'8 answers to the qiitstions put to him by the naid CijMunitteci and the said evidcnct , in a inindx r (jf particulars, is incorrect, and difl'crcnt from tho evidence really j;ivoii by tho Deponent before the said Coniniittec. And the Deponent I nlher saiih, that in that part oi' the evidence ascribed by him in till! said llcport, which relates to one (lazaillc (lit Germain, whose real name isSt.Gernmin,tli>'re has been a supjjression ofmaterinal facts and circumstances which madi ])art of the evidence given by him, the Deponent, before the said Committee ; and there is also untruth and incorrectness in tho saiil evidence, in various parts, as therein reported.— Tho Deponent stated before the sai I Connnitlce, that he was not present when (iaxaillc (lit (iermain took tli oat' and voted, and could not, therefore, know wiicthrr he shewed reluctance to f a, the oath or not : But the Deponent also stated facts, from wliicli it was to be inferred, that the said Germain took the oath of liis own free will, nnd that lie did so, upon an alleged reservation of a life-e&tate, the existence of which estate was not denied or doubted at the time he voted ; and these facts have been entirely su])pie8sud in the evidence ascribed to the Deponent as aforesaid. The facts which the Peponent stated before the said Committee, with re- spect to the said Gcrmnin, and which have been snppressetl as aforesaid, are the following, viz : •' That the said Germain called upon the Deponent the " day before he voted, and after mentioning his intention to vote for James " Stuart, Esquire, one of the Candidates, slated also the nature of his qualification, " wirich he represented to con«! st, in the usufruct for life, or a life-estate, in " part of the house in the l)i rough, which he had given to his son, by Deed " of Gift, executed before Mr, Crebassa, I'ublic Notary : the next morning, the " said Germain again called on Deponent, and informed him that he had just " seen the said James Stuart, who had told him tlialifhe ((iermain) had reserved " a life-estate as he represented ho had done, he would have a right to vote. " That the Deponent being desirous of assuring himself of the terms of the " reservation stated by Germain to be contained in the Deed of Gift to his son, " immediately after went to the t)ttice of the said Mr. Crebassa, for thepur- «' pose of seeing the said Deed of Gift, and applied for the perirtal of it " to the said Mr. Crebassa, who refused to let liim see it. --Tliat, soon after, '• the {)eponciit met the said Germaiii, who persisted in the confident assertion *' that the said Deed of Gift contained such a reservation as he had stated, " and that he would go and vote for the said James S'; 'art ; and. in the course •' of the same morning, the Dept- ( nt heard that the said (ipnu.i a had voted for " the said .James Stuart. — That ilie Deponent did no I'L.'ia. v <'H,btse\pi ii,- '* edof the truth of the fact stated by the said Gei > , ^s'toitic said reser- •' vation, until five or six days after the Klection was over, when the said " Germain, in conversation with the Deponent, renewed his assertion that he •' e.ad reserved to himself a life-estate as above mentioned." And the Deponent further saith, that the said facts so suppressed as aforesaid are •>• ;:: particulars true, and were stated by the Deponent, in answer to the .scvciiti' i|iiesti' n put to him bythc said Committee Aiuitbi. ijeponcn. lurther saith, that the said Germain, at the time of giving liis vole u? aforesaid, w..,-: an entire stranger to the .said James Stuart, to whom he had uevLi fooken, (as .he Deponent leaint from the oaid Germain,) till he went to ^..r^ 209 daiu 1.1 priso ct Ic rapport de ses J. pen»«s. Que le d^iMsant jb cmmt de IVponue avanc'e de In Sfsition k lnqiielleil i'utiiili'rfiit' Jelinexactitude dii U-umgiMgoiiu on luiaMignait coinm.-fliiitilit, et |):<' 'i'mitrea (i/< •• "tanct*. ric put rctiuir A oblt-iiir U correction tti t^'inoiKnugecoii'. nu dim le rui )vorl dii (lit Coinili\ — Et lo ilepo> •ant (lit en o itr • que (liinn lu niniort In i?(t Comue, appelu '* -Vcoind iluppoit da Comitc dcs Grii't'n>t4ncei dti depoRnnt a ix <|iii'stiu(i0 ^ hii fitile* yM le dii Co» mil^ ; ct ledit t inui;{n^i{;e, dans iioinbc ')c dC'tiiiis, est incot roift. H diflk-rem ilu t6moigni);e donn' par lu d 'posant devaiit Ic dit Comitt'. Kt le di'pwant dit en outre, que danit la | nrlie dii t6inoigna);c ^ liii anoi^nee iIjiii Ic dit rappurt, rela- tive u iiH nnmmi' Gazai Ic ilit Germain, dont Ic vrai notn est St. Germain, il y a cu auifircMion dc circoMHtanceij^ fa t^esscnticUqni iuivajent partie du t6n«oignage i)ji hi ilonn6 (li-viint Ic dit (finite, ct qn'il y n nnssi uii manque de v^rit^ et 'c ' 'itiidt' dans Ic (lit t('m^gnn';c dun!i diverses parties, tcllcs (|u'<;lU<8 y nont rupj<()it{'cs.''Lcd('>p().siiiit dipokit dcvant le dit Comitt', auil n'tt.iii|]iftpr(''.ent lom- qu ' Giunillc dit St. (icrmain jura et vota, etne pouvait pas pai cvwiMuent suvuir ft'il nvait montri- on non de luf^pngnance a prefer serment : Mnialeal^iisant rap- poi'ta aiissi dos fuits dont on pouvait iiilV'icrqne Icdit St. Cciiiiain prCta leHCrmciit de Ron prupic giC', cl qu il le fit snr la rdMcrve pr(;tendue dun nsufruit, dont I'exis- tencc IK! flit ni niu^ ni mhe en donto an temps anq lel il vota; ct cm fails onte'('' enticHMnent Hupprinius dans le Icmoigna^e ass'gnd au d^po-sane commie susdit. LeH fails que lc(le))(iHant rapuorta dcvant Ic dilCuinitdi k I'egani du dii St. Ger- main, ct qui ont etc. siippiiines comnic snsdit, soiit les suivans, sav «if : <• Que h^ *' dit St. Germain alia troiiver le deposant la veille dii jour qu'il vota, et apr^s avoir *' pail6 de J'lntcntion qu'il nvait de voter pour .Tames Stuart, Tcuy^r, uii des Can- "didats, il men ionna aiissila naluredj sa qualiticalion, qn'il dit conftister en uii ** iisnfinii viap;er dans nne partie de lu tnaison du Bourfr, qu'il avail donn^e k son " fiU, par a te de donation, ex6cntu dcvant M. Cr(;bassu, Notair»: Public : Ic " li>n:k'niain nmtin, Ic dit St. Germain alia trouver de nouvcaii le d^jiosant, et " l'i::forma (|ii ii vcnait de voir le dit James Stuart, qui lui avail dit que s'il (8 1. *' G iniain) s (;tait r6^crv6 un usii fro it tcl qu'il dis..it I'avoir fail»i|jiawut.d(oit de " v6tcM-. <,hic le deposant d^sirunt s'assnrer destermc'S de lartesM^^i^K St. Ger- " main disait cue (ontcn edansractcdc donation a son KU, se rMriltsur le champ " il I etude (III ili M. Crehassa ponr voir le dit acte de donaticn, et il demanJaa le *' lire ail dit (.'rebiissa, qui reCusu de le lui laisser voir. Que pen de te nps apr^s, " ic d6|)i)'.ant rciicn.iira le dit St. Gtlrmain, qui persista i\ soulcnir avec assurance " que Ic dit actL- d ' donation cnntcnait une rc.«erve telle que celle dont il avait *'p.irl6, ct qn'il iiait voter pour. le dit James Stuart ; et dans \v Qoura de la tn£me *' matiacf, le dej)o.iuiit eiitendit dire (jiie le dit St. Germainavait vot£ po>ur4e dit *' James Stn irt. Q ic le deposant n'cntcnditexprimer aucun doute sur la v6rite " du fait i:ii>poitc |)ar le dit St. Germa n, a I'dgard de la dite reserve, si ce n'est •• e,n(| on s , joins u|n(;'s I'elcclion, alors qiu; le dii St. Germain, en conversant " avcc le cpo'saiu i cnoiivila son assertion, qu'il s'6tait r6serv6 un usutVuit commu •* il est ci cssiis nicntioiiiie. ' H/ Et le dcpo3;ant dit de plus, que Icsdits fails ainsi supprim^s comme susJitsont viaisen to ,t, ( itiuiit rapport^i par Ic d^jiosant, eti r6ponse k la septi^me ques- tion qui ini fut taite parie dit Comitt. ' i'.t le deposant dit en outre, que le dit St. Germain, lorsqu'il d6nna son vote coii^inj sus.l t ; eta t un partait 6tranger au dit James Stuart, a qui il n'avait ja- mais-[iiari6 (selun que le deposant I'a appris du dit St. Germain,) avant qu'il eut 210 ■j/f. m •:i'i' to call on the said James Stuart, the morning he gave his vote as aforesaid. — Anil the Deponent further sailh, that the said Ciermain has always borne the charac terofan honest, respectable man, and his connexions also are respectable, and that the said Germain, before and at the time of giving his vote as aforesaid, would not have been deemed capable of telling, much less of swearing to, an untruth, knowingly. And the Deponent further saith, that the evidence ascribed to the Depo. nent in the said Report of the Committee of Grievances, in what respects cer- tain affidavits said to have been sent to Sorel, by a Mr. Schiller, does not cor- respond with the evidence actually given by the Deponent before the Commit- tee, and would convey an impression contrary to truth. The real facts, witii respect to these affidavits, as represented by the Deponent before the said Com- mittee, arc the followin-^ : In consequence of Cintrue statements which, recently before, on the trial of one Aussant for perjury, had been miule respecting the conduct of the said .. imes Stuart, at the election for Sorel, drafts or outlines of several affidavits to contradict such statements, were, on the part of the said James Strarl, trans- mitted to Sorel, accompanied by instructions that they were to receive any al- terations and corrections that might be necessary to render them exactly con- formable to the knowledge of the persons making them, and to truth. One of these affidavits was intended for Mr. Crebassa, who had been Returning Officer, who told the Deponent that it had been prepared at his desire, when at Mon- treal, and that he had called on the said James Stuart, to swear to the said atti- davit, but had been prevented from doing so, by finding him too much engaged to be spoken to. And the Deponent further saith, that the said Mr. Crebassa declined making the said affidavit when required to do so at William Henry, not on the ground of any inaccuracy in the said affidavit, but, because, as he stated, his brother and son were unwilling that he should make the said affidavit, and had told him not to do so. And the Deponent further saith, that with respect to the proposed affidavit of the said Mr. Crebassa, as well as two or three others, he received in the early part of June last, a letter from the said James Stuart, dated the 2d June, 18'30, which he annexes to this affidavit, and to which he refers, as containing the instructions under which the said affidavits were to be taken. And the Dejjonent further saith, that having in compliance with the said letter, renewed his request to the said Mr. Crebassa to be informed whether he would make the said affidavit, and, if not, that he would state his reason for not doing so, he was told by the said Mr. Crebassa, that he would make his own affidavit and send it down to the said .Tames Stuart. And the Deponent further saith, that among the particulars untruly stated in the evidence ascribed to Deponent as aforesaid, are the following, viz. — The Deponent in the said evidence is made to state that the said James Stuart used threats to voters ; whereas the Deponent did not state, before the said Commit- tee, that the said James Stuart had used threats to voters. The Deponent, in the said evidence, is also made to say, that by the said affidavits, the said James Stuart pretended that he had not used violence to electors, whereas no such lan- guage was, or could have been used by the Deponent, inasmuch as it was within his knowledge, and he had stated before the saidCommittee, that no violence had been used by the said James Stuart.— The Deponent, in the said evidence, is also made to say, that he swore to affidavits, with "alterations;" whereas he stated before the said Committee, that he had sworn to them with " additions;" the Deponent having add^d to the said affidavits the mention of facts which had been omitted in them. The Deponent, in the said evidence, is also made to state, that persons had refused to swear to affidavits which had been sent to So- rel, whereas no such refusal occurred, except in the case of Mr. Crebassa, as above-mentioned , (■■ 211 ete trouver ledit James Stuart \c matin qu'il vota. £t le deposant dit en outre que le dit Germain a toujours eu la reputation dun homme lionnete ct respectable, et ses liaisons sont aussi respectables, et que Ic dit Germain, avant et iorsqu'il vota comme siisdit, n'aurait pu passer pour Otre capable de dire sciemmcnt une fausset^, encore moins de i'assermenter. Et le dc^'posant dit en outre, que le t(!'moignage assign;; au deposant dans Ic dit rapport du Comite des Griefs, en tant quil a rapport it certains affidavits dits avoir sonnesqui lesassermenteraient, ct a la veritc'. Unde ces affidavits ctaient des- tines pour M. Crebassa, qui avait ete Officier-llapporteur, qui die au deposant qu'il avait ete prepare <\ son desir, Iorsqu'il utait a Montreal, ct qu il avait ute chez le dit James Stuart pour assermenter cet affidavit, mais qu'il en avait ete empeche, en le trouvant trop occupe pour lui parler. £t le deposant dit en outre, que le dit M. Cr^bassa refusa de faire le dit affidavit lorsqu il fut requls de le faire ii William Henry, non pas par la raison que le dit affidavit etait incorrect, mais parce que, comme il le dit, son fr^re et son ills ne voulaient pas qu'il fit le dit affidavit, e lui avaient dit de ne le pas faire. Et le deposant dit en outre, qu'a I'cgard dc I'^ffi^ davit destin6 pour le dit M. Crebassa, aussi bien que deux on trois autres qu'ii re- fut au commencement de Juin dernier, une lettre du dit James Stuart, en date du 2 Juin 1830, qu'il annexe a cet affidavit, et a laquelle il renvoie, comme con- tenant les instructions sous lesquelles les dits affidavits ont ^t6 faits. Et le deposant dit en outre qu'ayant en conformite a la dite lettre, renouvel^ sa demande au dit M. Crebassa pour savoir s'il voulait faire le dit affidavit,et si non, qu'il vouliit bien donncr raison qu'il avait pour ne le pas faire, le dit M. Crebassa lui dit, qu'il ferait lui-meme son propre affidavit et qu'il I'enverrait au dit James Stuart. Et le deposant dit en outre, .que parmi les circonstances fausses rapportees dans le t^moignage assign^ au deposant comme susdit, sont les suivantes, savoir : Dans le dit t^'moignage on fait dire au ddpo^ant que le dit James Stuart employa les menaces aupres des voteurs ; tandis que le d6posant ne dit pas devant le dit Co- mite, que le dit James Stuart avait employe des menaces aupres des voteurs. On fait aussi dire au deposant dans le dit temoignage que par les dits affidavits le dit James Stuart pr^tendait qu'il n'avait pas us^ de violence a I'^gard des ^lec- teurs, tandis que Id deposatit n'a employe ui ne pouvait employer un tel langage, en autant qu'il etait k sa connaissance, et qu'il dit devant le dit Comite que le dit James Stuart n'avait us6 d'aucune violence. Dans le temoignage on fait aussi dire au deposant, qu'il assermenta les affidavits, avec " des altlrations," tandis qu'il a dit devant le dit Comite, qu'il les avait asserment(^s avec " des additions!^' le depoSant ayant ajout6 aux dits affidavits la mention de faits qui y avaient ^te omis. On fait auF,si dire au deposant, dans le dit temoignage, que des personn^s avaient refus6 d'assermenter les affidavits qui avaient ete envoyes A Sorel, tandis qp'un tel refus n'a eu lieu que dans le cas de M. Crebassa, comme il est dit ti- de$8us I 1 4 If 1 212 above^omntibiied. The Deponent in the said evidence is also made to state, that abusive words had been used by the said James Stiia-t to tlie said Mr. Creba&sa: whereas the Deponent did not so express himself, but only slated that he heard the said James Stuart say, that the a«id Mr. Crebnssa acted stupidly, which was said with reference to the mistakes committed by Mr. Crebassa in confoundinff the ouths to be taken by tenants and proprietc.rs, and substituting the one for the other; and the Deponent could not state before the said Com- mittee, and cannot now state, to whom the saidJames Stuart, in usin^ the said words, addt^sed liimself. The Deponent, in the said evidence, is also made to state, that the said .lames Stuart threatened Mr. Welles, that he would com- plain of him to the (jovernor; whereas the Deponent in his evidence, as really given by him, stated that the said James Stuart, being a stranger and unacquaint- ed with (he qualifications of the voters, relied on the assistance of Mr. Welles, being Agent for the Seigniory of Sorel, to give him the requisite information on this head; and, finding that Mr. Welles absented himself from the Poll, by which he was deprived of such information, he remonstrated with Mr. Welles on his conduct, and insisted that he should not absent himself frum the Poll, at the same time stating if he did' so, he would report him to the Governor. — The Deponent, in the said evidence, is also made to state, that he had a know- ledge that certa'n letters had passed between the Cur6 and the Go\ ernor ;, where- as he stated before the Committee, that he had no knowledge of any such fact, except that derived from a Report of the Committee of Grievances in I829> And the Deponent further saith, that he did not, and could not have stated, before the said Committee, any particulars of misconduct on the part of the said James Stuart, at the said election, or any circumstances ftom which such mis- conduct could be inferred, inasmuch as the conduct of the said James Stuart, throughout the said election, in so far as the Deponent became acquainted with it (and he was intimately acquainted with all the proceedings which took place at the said election,) was not only altogether unexceptionable but meritorious in discountenancing and preventing, as far as he could, all irregularities and im. proprieties, as well all actf of violence. And further the Depoueut saith not. (Signed,) A. VON IFFLAND^ M. D. Sworn atthe Cityof Qus|)fe, this 2nd day of May, 1881, before me, (Signed,) J. KERR,Judgeof theCourtof King's Bench, Quebec. True Copy, J. STUART. Copy of the Lttler referred to in the fwegmg Affidaxit'. •• Quebec, Snd June, 18S0. DeArSir, In conformity with wb«t wa» Mj^gMKCtf when I had the pleasure of seeing you at William Henry, • |pw dafvnikSe. I now send ta you, en- closed, Affidavits of the facts whick His understood can be sworn to by your* ■elf and by Messrs. fiurke and John C»^, together with a mem. of particu. lars which it would be proper to introduce into the Affidavits of Mrs. Graves and St. Germain, if they should be within their knowMge^ and accord with truth.— I also return to you the Affidavit of Mr. CrehiWk Vou would oblige me 213 J deisus. On fait aussi dire au d^posant dans le dit ti*moi!Tna(rc, que le dit James Stuart avait adress6 des paroles insultantes nii dit M.Crebassa ; tandisqiie le licpo- sant Ub s'est pas ainsi exprim^.mais a dit stulement qu'ii uvnit entendu Ic dit Jaiiu's Stuart dire, que le dit iM. Crebassa a.;issait stupidement, ce qui fut d,t a I'l'i^'Ul de ini'prises que commettait M Crebassa en confondant les sennens qui devaieiit £tre pris par les locstairts et les proprietaires, et en substiuii^nt les un& aiix nutrts ; et le deposantn'a pu d re devant le dit Coinitt', et ne pent dim inainlcnant a qui lo dit James Stuart s'adressa, lorsqu il prnnon^a ce^; p iroles. On fait aussi diic au d6po»ant dans le dit tcmoignage, que le dit James Stuart mena^a M. Wc-lies, ((ii 11 se piaindrait de lui uu Gouverneur ; Inndis que le deposant dans son t'inoigiKiiis n6cessaires sur ce point ; et voyant que M. Welles s'absentait dii poll, et qu'ii ctait parlapriv6de tels renseignemens, 11 fit des remontrances a M. VVc les siirsa con- duite, et insista<\ ce qu'il nes'absenta pasdu poll, en d sant en m6m» temps (]tiu s'iile faisait, il en ferait rapport au Gouverneur. On fait aussi dire nu d.posant dans le dit t(:moignage, qu'il 'avait eu connaissnnce qu'il y nvait ccrtaines k'ttie:^ d'^critesentre le Cureet le Gouverneur ; tandis qu'il dit devant le Comitc, quil n'avait eu aucune connaissance dun tel fait, sice n'est ce qu'il en avait vii dans un rapport du Cumite des Grief en 18^9. Et le deposant dit en outre qu'il ne rapporta, ni ne pouvait rapporter devant le dit Comit^, aucune inconstanced'incondtiite dela partdu dit James Stuait. a la dtte Election, ni aucune circonstance dont on put infi^rer une tt-lle incoiuluite, enautant que la conduite du dit James Stuart, pendant toute la dite Election, cu autant que le deposant en ait eu connaissance et il a eu une connaissance pa f'aite de tout ce qui s'est passe a la dite Election,) a 6ti non seulement exempt d.i nioin- dre renroclie, mais menie digne d'eloge, en. drcontenanfant ct prevciant, autant qu'il etait en lui, toutes les irr^gularites et inconvenances, aussi bien que tous actes de violence. £t le deposant ne dit rien de plus. (Signe.) A. VON IFFLAND, M. D. Asserment^ devant raoi en la Cit6 de Quebec, ce 2e jour de Mai 1831. (Sign^,) J. KERR, Juge de la Cour du Banc du Roi, Quebec. Vraie Copie, J. STUART. • -i'V 18S0. pleasure you, en- by your- * particu- G raves cord with Hid oblige me Copie dc la lettre mentionnee dans F Affidavit ci-dessus. Quebec, 2 Juin 1830. Cher Monsieur, En consequence de ce qui a €U sugg^r^, lorsque j'eus le plaisir de vons voir \ William Henry, il y aquelques jours, je vous envoie maintenant ci-incKis, lea affidavits des faits, qui, k ce quej'apprends, peuvent £tre affirm<$3 sous s-erment par vou8.in£me et par MM. Burke et John Carter, avec un m^moire des details qu'il serait k propos d'introduire dans les affidavits de MM. Graves et St. Germain, s'ils en ont eu connaissance,|et s'ils sent coniormes a la v6rit6. Je voi» femets aussi I'aiffidavit de M. Crebassa. Vous m'obligeriez de lui rappeler ces faiti^ savoir : que lorsque 214. me to recall to his recollection these facts, viz : that when I saw him at Montreal, afler the trial of Aussant, he told me that the facts contained in this affidavit were within his knowledge ; that he would call on me at two o'clock in the course of the same day, and make affidavit of them, which affidavit I was to prepare in the mean time. — That he did not call on me as he promised, or, if he did, he did not announce himself, so as to admit; of the affidavit being made ; that he told Schiller that he intended to make the affidavit, but had been prevented by learning that I was occupied, &c. In recalling these facts to Mr. Crebassa, you will oblige me by putting the question to him dislhwtlj/, whether he will or will not make the affidavit, and if not, by asking him to specify the reason of his refusal. It is of course understood, that the affidavit proposed to be made is subject to all alterations and corrections on his part, so as to render it euiirely conformable to his knowledge of facts, and to the truth. — I am extremely sorry to be under the necessity of giving you so much trouble ; but, with your know- ledge of the circumstances which nave rendered it necessary, I am persuaded you will deem any apology on my part superfluous. I have only to add, that a great obligation will be conTerred on me by a minute attention to the subject of this letter, which will at all times be acknowledged, by yours very truly, (Signed) J. STUART. This letter referred to in the Affidavit of Anthony Von Iffland, Esquire, made before me this 2d day of May, 1831. (Signed) True Copy. J. KERR, I. B. R. Quebec. A. VON IFFLAND, M,. D. J. STUART. No. 16. Copy of a Report made bi/ James Stuart, Esqidre, His Majesty's Attorney General for the Province of Lower Canada, to His Excellency Sir James Kempt; Administrator of the Government of that Province, respecting cer- tain Prosecutions for Libels, pending undetermined in tlie Courts of Justice in the said Province. (The preceding Report, No. 10, and Appendix to the same, will be found in the Appendix to Mr. Stuart's Memorial to Lord Goderich.) >•■■ ■' .:?; 215 lorsqiic jc le vis a Montjcal, apres le proces d'Aiissant, il mc dit que les faits coiite- nus dans cet affidavit etaicnt a sa connaisaiice ; qu'il vicndrait cliez moi a deux lieiiies de i'apics midi du mime jour, et en donncrait son affidavit, lequel atfida- vitjc devais preparer dans fintcrvalle. Qu'il ne vint pas me trouver, coniinc il me 1 avait proinis, ous'illefit, il ne s'annonca pas de manure a cc qu'il put faire I'affidavit ; qu il a dit a SLhiller qu'il avait intention de f'aire I'atfidavit, mais qu'il en avait cte empcche en apprenant que j'ctais occupe &c. Kn rajjpciant ces fails i\ M. Crcbassa, voiis m'obiigerez de iui nuttro bieh distinctcment hi question sui- vante, savoir, s'il fera oune fera pas I'afhdavit, ct s'il refuse de le f'aire, de hii dc- mander de specifier la raison de s.n refiis. II est entendii, commede raison, que Tafiidavit proposdest sujet a toutes alterations ct corrections desapart, quipour- ront le rendre entierement conformes a la connaissance qii'ii a des fails, ct ;"i la v(frite. Je suis extr^mement f'.che de me trouver dans la n{!ccssite de vous donncr tant de trouble ; mais, la connaissance que vous avez des circonstances qui I'ont rendu necessaire, je suis persuade que vous regardcrcz comme superfine toutc apo- logic de ma part. II ne nie reste qu'a ajouter, qu'cn donriant une attention parti- culi^reau sujet decettc lettrc, vous m'imposerez une grande obligation que sera toujours pret u reconnaitre, celui qui est tout a-vous. Ceci est la lettre mentionnee dans I'affidavit d' Anthony Von IfHand, Ecuyer, fait de- vant moi ce 2e jour de Mai 1831. (Signe) J. KERR, J. B. R. Quebec. A. VON IFFLANU, M. D. Vraie Copie, J. STUART. (Sign^,) J. STUART. No. IG. Gopie cl'un Raiyport fait par James Stuaiit, Ectiyer, Procureur-Geniral de Sa JSIa- jesle pour la Province du Bus-Canada, d Son Excellence Sir James Kempt, I' Administrateur du Gouvernement de celte Province, touchant certaines pour- suites pour lihelle, pendantes dans les Coursde Justices de la dite Province. (Le Rapport pr^^cedent No. 16 et son Appendice, se trouvent I'Appendice au Mcmoire de M. Stuart au Lord Goderich.) dans m