and Mrs. Judge Westal Willoughby, Mr. and Mrs. Judge Lysander Hill,
all of Alexandria; Mr. R. M. Manly, Richmond; Mrs. Martha Haines
Bennett, Norfolk; Mr. Andrew Washburne and Mr. William E. Coleman,
Richmond; _Secretary_, Miss Sue L. F. Smith, Richmond; _Executive
Committee_, Rev. W. F. Hemenway, Mrs. Andrew Washburne, Mrs. Dr. E.
H. Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Langstedt, Richmond, and Mrs. Allen
(Florence Percy) of Manchester.

[533] _President_, Gov. R. K. Scott; _Vice-Presidents_, Hon. B. F.
Whittemore, Hon. G. F. McIntyre, Gen. W. J. Whipper, Mrs. R. C.
DeLarge, Hon. D. H. Chamberlain, Mrs. A. J. Ransier, and Mrs. R. K.
Scott; _Secretary_, Miss K. Rollin; _Treasurer_, Mrs. K. Harris.

CHAPTER LV. (CONCLUDED).

CANADA.

We are indebted to Miss Phelps of St. Catharines and Mrs. Curzon of
Toronto for the facts we give in regard to women's position in the
Dominion. Miss Phelps says:

History tells us that when the thirteen American colonies
revolted and their independence was declared there were 25,000
who adhered to the policy of King George, under the name of the
United Empire Loyalists, some of whom came to Canada, others to
Acadia and others wandered elsewhere. The 10,000 who sought a
home in Canada at once formed a government in harmony with
English laws and usages. Parliament was established in 1803 at
York, now Toronto, and during that session the first law for the
protection of married women was passed. At first, if a married
woman desired to dispose of her property, she was obliged to go
before the courts to testify as to her willingness to do so. In
1821 a bill was passed enabling her to go before justices of the
peace. This was a great convenience, for the courts were not
always in session when it was imperative for her to sell. In 1849
a bill was passed to naturalize women who married native-born or
naturalized subjects. In 1859, under the old parliament of
Canada, the Married Woman's Property act was passed, which in
brief provides that every woman who may marry without any
marriage-contract or settlement shall, after May 4, 1859,
notwithstanding her coverture, have, hold and enjoy all her real
estate, whether belonging to her before marriage or in any way
acquired afterward, free from her husband's debts and obligations
contracted after May 4, 1859. A married woman may also hold her