jects which may remain to occupy your attention. I come to
close the session and so permit you to return home. In accepting the
supply for defraying the deficiency of the funds which have hitherto
served to meet the charges of the administration of justice, and
support of the civil government of this province, I have great
satisfaction in acknowledging the readiness manifested to meet this
exigence.

In this session of parliament, Mr. James Durand, a member of the
Assembly, for Wentworth, was accused of having issued an address to his
free and independent electors, which was a libel upon the
Lieutenant-Governor, and a gross, false, and malicious libel on the
members of the late House of Assembly. Mr. Durand admitted the
publication of the address, but denied that he had spoken
disrespectfully of the Governor, and asserted, on his honor, that he
never had any intention of doing so. If any gentleman, however,
believed that he had abused him, whether intentionally or
unintentionally, he was prepared to give him that satisfaction which
was due from one gentleman to another. Mr. Nichol was surprised that
any gentleman should have made an appeal to the laws of honor. The
people of Wentworth had sent Mr. Durand to parliament to be their
legislator, not their gladiator. Mr. Jones adduced authority from
Blackstone to prove the right of the House to enquire into the
libel--to prevent bloodshed. Mr. Durand contended that the House had no
authority to try him, and even if it had, the jury should be impartial,
whereas several members of the House felt themselves to be implicated
in the charge against him. Mr. Nichol considered that honour demanded
that all the members should remain to decide the question. Mr. Durand
protested against his accuser, and spoke flatteringly of the Governor,
whom he had not calumniated. Mr. Speaker rose to say that no
explanation to the House would do away with the malice of the
publication. The paper was before the world, which would draw its own
inferences. He thought there was no doubt about its being a libel on
the Lieutenant-Governor and the Honorable the Legislative Council, but
he was not prepared to say how far the House could take cognizance of a
libel against any former House of Parliament. A false, scandalous and
malicious libel was accordingly reported. Mr. Nichol moved for Mr.
Durand's committal to gaol. Mr. McNabb moved in amendment, that Mr.
Durand be required to appear at the Bar of the H