ns
was not yet full. His next proceeding filled it to overflowing. He
addressed a series of thirty-one printed questions to prominent persons
in different parts of the Province, asking for topographical and other
information. The thirty-first question was so framed that, if truthfully
replied to, it was certain to elicit facts which would form the
groundwork of damnifying strictures on the principal abuses of the time.
"What, in your opinion," asked Mr. Gourlay, "retards the improvement of
your township in particular, or the Province in general?" Throughout the
Home District the influence of the Compact was sufficient to prevent any
replies from being returned to these queries. Elsewhere that influence
was partial only, and many answers were received from other districts.
The all but invariable reply to the thirty-first question attributed the
slow development of the country to the Crown and Clergy Reserves. Mr.
Gourlay did not attempt to conceal his intention of publishing the
results of his investigations, and of circulating them all over Great
Britain and Ireland. Having succeeded in arousing a good deal of popular
enthusiasm, he proceeded to strike what he intended to be another
damaging blow. Owing to his exertions, a convention was held at York,
whereat he advocated a petition to the Imperial Parliament, praying for
an investigation into the public affairs of Upper Canada. He also
suggested the sending of deputies to England in support of the petition,
and it is not improbable that such a course would eventually have been
followed, but the petitioners were as yet not fully organized, and
before any of their plans could be brought to maturity their champion's
career of agitation received a sudden and, for the time, an effectual
check.

The oligarchs had taken alarm. If this man were permitted to go on as he
had begun, there would soon be an end of the existing order of things,
which they had so tremendous an interest in preserving. At any cost, and
by whatever means, he must be suppressed. There must be a general and
determined advance against him all along the line.

The prime organizer of this most unrighteous crusade is believed to have
been the Reverend Dr. John Strachan, Rector of York, member of the
Executive Council, supreme director of the lay and ecclesiastical policy
of the Church of England in Upper Canada, champion of the Clergy
Reserves, and what not. It may seem a thankless task to write in strong
d