al and
Solicitor-General. His Excellency seems to have felt that it was
necessary to assign some reason for passing over Mr. Bidwell, whose
legal acquirements were certainly superior to those of any other member
of the Upper Canada bar since John Rolph had abandoned the long robe.
"That gentleman's legal acquirements," wrote Sir Francis,[269] "are, I
consider, superior to at least one of the individuals whom I have
elevated. His moral character is irreproachable. But, anxious as I am to
give to talent its due, yet I cannot but feel that the welfare and
honour of this Province depend on His Majesty never promoting a disloyal
man." His Excellency then went on to represent Mr. Bidwell as having
been desirous of effecting the separation of the colony from the parent
state, and of exchanging the British constitution for "the low,
grovelling principles of democracy." There was no allegation that any
such desire had ever been personally expressed or manifested by Mr.
Bidwell, but it was inferred _from the conduct of his associates_. This
was somewhat more than the Colonial Secretary could quietly pass over.
He pointed out[270] to the Lieutenant-Governor that the disloyalty
imputed to Mr. Bidwell's associates had not been charged against
himself, or attempted to be proved by any act of his; that he had
withdrawn himself from political strife; and that as his professional
abilities and high moral character were respected by his political
opponents, the political stand formerly taken by him ought not to
operate against his advancement. It was further urged by his Lordship
that the elevation of such a man to the bench would convince the Upper
Canadian public of the impartiality of the Executive in such matters.
Finally, his Excellency was informed that should another vacancy occur
among the Judges of the Court of King's Bench, it was the wish of His
Majesty's Government that the situation should be offered to Mr.
Bidwell.

Upon receipt of the missive containing this intimation the Tried
Reformer was almost beside himself. He had none of that magnanimity
which impels a man to admit that he is in the wrong when he has been
clearly proved to be so. Nor could he boast of that skill of graceful
concession which enables its possessor to recede without discredit from
an untenable position. He replied to his Lordship[271] in the following
blunt and explicit terms: "After very deliberate consideration, I have
determined to take upon mysel