at last summer of his life was crowded with toil and anxiety, but
crowned with triumph. Acting as his own minister, he had to press
through a chaotic and factious legislature, far-seeing measures of
vital importance to the country; he had to reconcile differences, to
smooth opposition, to continue his campaign of education in {59}
parliamentary procedure. In addition to the immediate problem of
remaking the Canadas into one province, Sydenham was deep in diplomatic
difficulties arising over disputes as to the Maine boundary. This
difficulty was settled in 1842 by the Ashburton Treaty, which finally
delimited the frontier lines. The strain on the governor-general was
severe, and his health, never robust, gave way under it; but the frail
form was upborne by the indomitable spirit of the man, and by the
consciousness that he was winning the long-desired and doubtful
victory. His success was plain to other eyes across the sea. His
chief, Lord John Russell, sent gratifying commendations and obtained
for him the coveted honour of the Grand Cross of the Bath. Feeling
that his mission was accomplished, he sent in his resignation and made
his preparations to return to England. The sound he longed to hear was
the pealing of the guns from the citadel of Quebec in a final salute to
the departing proconsul. He was to obtain release in another way.

Some idea of Sydenham's difficulties may be formed by a consideration
of the Baldwin incident, as it has been called. Just before the
session opened an effort was made to {60} combine the Moderate
Reformers of Upper Canada and the 'solid' French-Canadian party of
Lower Canada into a compact parliamentary phalanx of forty which would,
of course, take charge of the House. Baldwin was skilfully approached
and played upon until he supported this intrigue. The sequel is best
told in Sydenham's own words.

Acting upon some principle of conduct, which I can reconcile neither
with honour nor common sense, he strove to bring about this Union, and
at last having as he thought effected it, coolly proposed to me, on the
day before Parliament was to meet, to break up the Government
altogether, dismiss several of his Colleagues and replace them by men
whom I believe he had not known for twenty-four hours, but who are most
of them thoroughly well known in Lower Canada (without going back to
darker times) as the principal opponents to every measure for the
improvement of that Province whic