Province on the circumstance, and stating that the
conduct and principles of Sir Francis had been much approved of. "My
anxiety is," wrote Mr. Hume, "that you and all the Reformers should
receive Sir Francis in the best possible manner, and do everything
consistent with principle to meet his views and wishes."[210] The fact
was that Mr. Hume was in precisely the same condition as Lord Glenelg
himself with respect to Sir Francis: that is to say, he knew nothing
whatever about him. He seems to have very unwisely taken it for granted
that the new Lieutenant-Governor was a good man for the position because
he had been appointed under Whig auspices. His letter found its way into
all the Reform newspapers in Upper Canada, and Sir Francis had no reason
to complain of the treatment he received at their hands. He was welcomed
as the "Tried Reformer" for whom they had so long prayed in vain. The
Tories and Conservatives, on the other hand, naturally regarded him with
considerable apprehension. They entertained no doubt that his advent
boded their downfall; but they were too wise to betray any solicitude,
and quietly waited the march of events. Parliament being in session, he
received from both Houses congratulatory addresses upon his assumption
of the Government. On the 27th he went down to the Council Chamber, and
made a brief and rather meaningless speech to the Legislature.[211] "As
regards myself," said he, "I have nothing either to promise or profess,
but I trust I shall not call in vain upon you to give me that loyal,
constitutional, unbiased and fearless assistance which your King
expects, and which the rising interests of your country require." He had
been directed by Lord Glenelg to communicate to the Provincial
Legislature the substance of his instructions. He not only communicated
the substance, but a verbatim copy of the letter itself, together with a
copy of the appendix, to each of the Houses. By this injudicious
proceeding he caused no little embarrassment to the Colonial Secretary,
and proved his utter want of experience in diplomatic affairs.[212] Lord
Glenelg, in common with the official world of Great Britain generally,
felt and expressed strong disapprobation of this extraordinary conduct
on the part of the Lieutenant-Governor, who ought to have been recalled
for this act alone, and probably would have been but for the difficulty
of finding a competent man to succeed him.

A certain space must be devoted to an