as treasonable. Several members of
the Reform party had publicly spoken enthusiastically of M. Papineau,
and had even gone so far as to express approbation of his most
indiscreet and objectionable language. This circumstance was now urged
to show that the objects of the anti-Executive party in both Provinces
were identical. There was no attempt to discriminate between
constitutional Reformers of the Baldwin stamp and advanced Radicals like
Mackenzie. All were included in one sweeping verdict as "disloyal"
persons, against whom it was necessary for right-minded citizens to
organize in self-defence.

Early in May these sentiments began to find expression in outward acts.
A number of Tory gentlemen of Toronto formed themselves into what they
called the British Constitutional Society, with the fundamental
principle and object of perpetuating the connection between Upper Canada
and the United Kingdom. A society bearing the same name had been formed
upon the breaking out of the War of 1812, and this of 1836 professed to
be a reorganization of the former one. In reality, however, it was to
all intents and purposes a new society, started for the specific purpose
of opposing the cry for Responsible Government, and of gaining support
for Sir Francis Head. During the previous year, Colonel Fitzgibbon had,
under Sir John Colborne's auspices, formed a drill corps for such young
men of Toronto as desired military instruction. A handful of
well-connected young men had availed themselves of the opportunity. The
Colonel now devoted himself with redoubled ardour to preparations for
the insurrection which he declared would burst forth before the next
winter. He got together a rifle corps to the number of seventy, and
drilled them twice a week with tireless enthusiasm, declaring that when
the hour of trial should come, he and "his boys" would be found in their
places, however the rest of the community might see fit to demean
themselves.

Notwithstanding these preparations, and the prevailing sentiments which
inspired them, it is doubtful whether the idea of rebellion had up to
this time taken definite possession of the mind of a single human being
in Upper Canada. There seems abundant reason for believing that the time
for wise concession was not past, and that a prudent and discreet
Administrator might have restored tranquillity to the land without
going an iota beyond the scope of Lord Glenelg's instructions. But Sir
Francis Head acted