examination of these instructions.
Speaking generally, it may be premised that they showed a disposition to
conciliate the discontent of the colonists, but only after a partial and
piecemeal fashion, such as might be exercised towards persons in a state
of tutelage. It was evident that the Home Government regarded the
colonists as persons who had not reached full political stature, who
were not in all cases able to judge as to what was best for themselves,
and who needed the constant supervision of calmer and loftier
intelligences than their own. In reply to the allegation that the number
of public offices in the colony was in excess of the people's needs, it
was said that in Upper Canada, as in other new countries, the number of
public employments was necessarily larger in proportion than in older
and more densely-peopled states. "In the early stages of such a
society," wrote Lord Glenelg, "many duties devolve upon the Government
which, at a more advanced period, are undertaken by the better educated
and wealthier classes, as an honourable occupation of their leisure
time." He went on to say that His Majesty's Government were not
solicitous to retain more patronage than was necessary for the people's
welfare, but that the selection of public officers must be entrusted to
the head of the local Government, and could not wisely be exercised in
any form of popular election, or committed to any popular body. Such
exercise or transfer, it was suggested, would be destructive of
responsibility and discipline. This doctrine was laid down as a general
rule of action, but any wish to urge it beyond its just and necessary
limits was expressly disclaimed, and it was even suggested that there
were cases in which the doctrine might be contravened. There was no
attempt to go into details as to specific cases, but it was stated as a
general principle that whatever patronage was necessary to maintain
perfect subordination to the prerogatives of the Crown must be retained,
and that whatever was unnecessary for that purpose should be abandoned.
His Excellency was directed to review and consider the subject with
diligence, and to report the result of his investigation. Should he
meanwhile deem it wise to reduce the number of offices, either by
abolition or consolidation, he was authorized to exercise his discretion
in that respect, but any appointment made under such circumstances was
to be merely provisional, and subject to cancellation by