British
constitution might be applied to Canadian affairs.

The Address and petitions were accompanied by the fullest documentary
and other evidence, and, in conjunction with the Grievance Committee's
Report, they stirred the Home Government to action. The Colonial
Secretaryship had changed hands more than once since Mr. Stanley's
tenure of office. The incumbent at this time, and for several years
afterwards, was Lord Glenelg. His Lordship gave much consideration to
the Report, and laid it before the King in person. The Home Government
had by this time fully realized that there was much well-grounded
discontent in the Canadas, and that something must be done to allay it.
It was clear that the Reformers were justified in at least some of their
demands, and that reasonable concessions should be made to them. This
conviction led to an ungracious correspondence between the Colonial
Office and Sir John Colborne,[192] who, owing, as is to be presumed, to
the advice of Chief Justice Robinson and Archdeacon Strachan, was very
reluctant to make concessions as suggested. As this reluctance was made
manifest in the course of the correspondence, the Colonial Secretary
resolved upon His Excellency's recall. Sir John had been appointed by a
Tory Government, the traditions of which had been pretty well swept away
by the effect of the Reform Bill. His mode of conducting the Provincial
Administration may perhaps be to some extent palliated by the
circumstances attending his appointment. But a Whig Government had now
been for some time in power, and an effete colonial policy could not be
permitted to be maintained to the detriment of colonial loyalty. If Sir
John Colborne was not amenable to Whig discipline he must make way for
some one of a more plastic mind. He was meanwhile instructed to delay
the assembling of the Legislature until the Home Government could fully
consider the aspect of affairs, and take such steps for the redress of
the Provincial grievances as might seem advisable.

Having arrived at this conclusion, the Colonial Secretary began to look
about him for a successor to Sir John Colborne. It was not easy to find
one in all respects suitable, for the appointment was not a prize of
such magnitude as to attract persons of really first-rate abilities.
There seems good reason to believe that the place was offered to at
least two fairly competent public servants, both of whom declined
it.[193] In view of his subsequent condu