to was strongly opposed, Dr. Ryerson says: A
considerable majority of the members of the Church of England in both
Houses of the Legislature voted for the Bill, and were afterwards
charged by the Bishop with "defection and treachery" for doing so. On
this point, Lord Sydenham, in a despatch to Lord John Russell, dated,
5th February, 1840, said: It is notorious to every one here, that of
twenty-two members (being communicants of the Church of England) who
voted upon this bill, only eight recorded their opinion in favour of the
views expressed by the Right Reverend Prelate, whilst, in the
Legislative Council the majority was still greater; and amongst those
who gave it their warmest support, are to be found many gentlemen of the
highest character for independence, and for attachment to the Church,
and whose views on general politics differ from those of Her Majesty's
Government. (Dr. Ryerson's Criticism on Bishop Strachan's letter to Lord
John Russell, dated, February 20th, 1851.)

[81] These kindly words the Bishop repeated in substance to the Editor
some years since, when talking with him on the subject.--H.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

1791-1836.

The Clergy Reserves and Rectories Questions.

The discussion of the Clergy Reserve Question enters so largely into the
Story of Dr. Ryerson's Life, that I give in this chapter a short,
condensed sketch of its origin and history down to 1837-38. The
remainder of the sketch will be developed in an account of the contest
preceding the settlement of the question in subsequent chapters.

After the conquest of Canada, in 1760, the right of the Roman Catholic
inhabitants to enjoy their religion was guaranteed to them in the Treaty
of Paris, Feb. 10th, 1763. In 1774, an Act was passed by the British
Parliament (14 Geo. III., ch. 83) by which the right to their accustomed
dues and tithes was secured to the clergy of the Church of Rome in the
then Province of Quebec (including what was afterwards Upper and Lower
Canada). The same Act provided for the encouragement of the Protestant
religion, and, for the support of a Protestant clergy, by other tithes
and dues.[82]

In 1791, the Province of Quebec was divided into Upper and Lower Canada,
and, in an Act introduced into the British Parliament by Mr. Pitt,
provision was made for their government. Sections 35-42 of that Act
dealt with the maintenance and support of a Protestant Clergy, and this
provision (1) allotted one-seventh of al