of the
Assembly stared in astonishment at the sudden and altogether
unlooked-for incursion of strangers, who poured into the gallery and
into the space below the bar, where they were permitted to intrude
themselves, and where Mackenzie presented himself to take the oath.
Those who could not find room inside remained without in the lobbies. In
a few moments a lull occurred in the proceedings of the House, whereupon
burly Peter Perry rose in his place and announced that he had a petition
to present on behalf of the inhabitants of the County of York. The
contents of the petition were not of a nature to render it acceptable to
a majority of the members. It referred to Mackenzie's expulsion, and
prayed that that indignity might not be repeated. There was a very
general feeling among the supporters of the Government that the House
ought not to receive such a petition, and several of them gave utterance
to their opinions on the subject. Allan MacNab expressed himself to this
effect with his customary emphasis, and was greeted with a storm of
hisses from the York electors in the gallery. Ominous sounds! The House
could not be expected to tamely brook such a manifestation, and an order
was given to clear the gallery. While the order was being obeyed, the
Sergeant-at-Arms approached Mackenzie where he stood below the bar, and
directed him to leave. Mackenzie replied to the effect that he had a
right to be there, and that he intended to remain. The door was then
opened by the Sergeant-at-Arms, who proceeded to eject Mackenzie by
force; but before he could carry out his purpose a rush was made from
the adjacent lobby. The door was promptly closed and barricaded, but not
until several of the invaders had effected an entrance. The excitement
was intense, and for some minutes the proceedings of the House were
suspended. When quiet had been in some measure restored, the Speaker
directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to clear the space below the bar of
strangers. That functionary again ordered Mackenzie to leave, and he
received the same reply as before. This was communicated to the Speaker,
who decided that, as Mackenzie had not taken the oath, he was not a
member of the House, and was not entitled to remain. Mackenzie was
there, ready and anxious to take the oath; but he was nevertheless
removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Assembly was once more purged
of his presence. On the next day he was again formally expelled by a
vote of the House[