the programme outlined by Mackenzie. They could capture Toronto and
seize the members of the Government before any measures could be taken
to successfully oppose them. This having been quietly effected without
bloodshed, it seemed probable enough that the population at large would
not refuse their support. The Reformers of the Province constituted a
large majority of the inhabitants, and there was not a Reformer in Upper
Canada but was heartily weary of Sir Francis Head and his clique. Only a
small minority would have consented to enter upon the risks and dangers
of a rebellion; but there is a great difference between a rebellion to
be encountered and one which has been successfully accomplished.
Thousands of persons who would strenuously refuse to have any connection
with the former would readily acquiesce in the latter. If the Government
were once subverted and in the hands of the Reformers, and if the entire
Reform element were in sympathy with the change, the rebellion would so
far be a success, for at this time there were comparatively few persons
in the Province who cared sufficiently for the Family Compact to risk
life or limb for the purpose of restoring them to power. But there was
another important question to be considered: What would the Imperial
Government have to say about it? If the might and majesty of Britain
were to be enlisted against the project, no Upper Canadian rebellion
could hope for permanent success, unless in the very unlikely event of
national interference on the part of the United States. But was it not
probable that the Imperial Government would be strongly impressed by
this uprising of a long-enduring and much-wronged people, and that a
sense of justice would compel them to adopt a new policy with respect to
the Canadas? Should this conjecture prove to be correct, all that was
sought to be effected by rebellion would have been accomplished. In any
case, the condition of the Reformers could hardly be altered for the
worse. The leaders of the movement would be driven to take refuge in the
States, but some of them had already begun to regard such an emigration
as desirable, for there seemed to be no future for them under Family
Compact rule.

With such thoughts as these passing through his mind, Dr. Rolph had
several conferences with Dr. Morrison, with whom Mackenzie also had some
conversation after the caucus at the brewery. Dr. Morrison was disposed
to attach great weight to any suggestio