h might, under other circumstances, have been attended with
very serious results, and on the fact that 'at no period, during the
recent history of Canada, had the people of the province generally been
better contented, or less disposed to quarrel with the mother-country,'
Lord Elgin did not disguise from himself, or from the Secretary of State,
that there were ominous symptoms of disaffection on the part of all the
three great sections of the community, the French, the Irish, and the
British.

Bear in mind that one-half of our population is of French origin, and
deeply imbued with French sympathies; that a considerable portion of
the remainder consists of Irish Catholics; that a large Irish
contingent on the other side of the border, fanatics on behalf of
republicanism and repeal, are egging on their compatriots here to
rebellion; that all have been wrought upon until they believe that the
conduct of England to Ireland is only to be paralleled by that of
Russia to Poland; that on this exciting topic, therefore, a kind of
holy indignation mixes itself with more questionable impulses; that
Guy Fawkes Papineau, actuated by the most malignant passions,
irritated vanity, disappointed ambition, and national hatred, which
unmerited favour has only served to exasperate, is waving a lighted
torch among these combustibles--you will, I think, admit, that if we
pass through this crisis without explosions it will be a gratifying
circumstance, and an encouragement to persevere in a liberal and
straightforward application of constitutional principles to
Government.

I have peculiar satisfaction therefore, under all these circumstances,
in calling your attention to the presentment of the grand jury of
Montreal, which I have sent you officially, in which that body adverts
to the singularly tranquil and contented state of the province.[8]

[Sidenote: The French question.]

With regard to the French he constantly expressed the conviction that
nothing was wanted to secure the loyalty of the vast majority, but a
policy of conciliation and confidence. In this spirit he urged the
importance of removing the restrictions on the use of the French
language:--

[Sidenote: Use of the French language.]

I am very anxious to hear that you have taken steps for the repeal of
so much of the Act of Union as imposes restrictions on the use of the
French