the indefensible, and would
have let Mackenzie alone. They might then have held the reins of power
for ten--or possibly twenty--years longer; but the day of reckoning,
when it came, would probably have been a darker one.

[153] Lord Howick, writing on behalf of the Colonial Secretary, under
date of June 23rd, 1832, in reply to Mackenzie's application for an
interview, informed the applicant that although the Secretary was ready
to hear any observations which he (Mackenzie) might have to offer upon
the affairs of Upper Canada, as an individual interested in the welfare
of that Province, and as a member of the Assembly, yet that the
Secretary could not recognize him as being deputed to act for any other
person, nor could he enter into any discussion with him on measures
which His Majesty's Government might think it right to pursue. "The
views and intentions of His Majesty's Government with respect to the
affairs of the Province," wrote his Lordship, "can only be made known to
the people of Upper Canada through the medium of the Governor or of the
Legislature; it is to one or other of these authorities that any
complaints which individuals may have occasion to make should properly
be addressed; and if the course pursued by the Executive Government
should be such as to give just ground for dissatisfaction, the
inhabitants have, by their Representatives, the means of bringing their
grievances under the immediate attention of His Majesty." The full text
of the letter will be found on pp. 191, 192 of the _Seventh Report of
Grievance Committee_.

[154] Mr. Boulton denied, at least by implication, that any such
communication had been made to him. See his letter dated April 30th,
1833, and published in the _Courier_ of the following day. But it is
certain that the contents of the missive had been made known to Mr.
Hagerman, and it is hardly conceivable that he would have failed to
communicate to his colleague matters of such vital importance to their
welfare.

[155] The full text of the despatch will be found on p. 295 of the
_Seventh Report of Grievance Committee_.

[156] "We have been very credibly informed that, on account of the
extent of the settlements and consequent increase of court business, it
was thought expedient by our wise ones that a fourth judge was
necessary, and that he [Mr. Hagerman] had obtained (previous to his
leaving here) a recommend from the other judges for himself to be
appointed to the new create