his government will be impartiality and
energy--not in making further changes, but,--in consolidating and
maturing the new institutions which have been established amongst
us--in obliterating past differences, in developing the latent
resources of the country, and in raising up a "united, happy, and
prosperous people."

In March, 1842, the question was raised as to the right of ministers of
the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Canada, who had been members of the old
organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Upper Canada, to
solemnize matrimony, or for the Conference legally to hold church
property. Dr. Ryerson prepared a case on the subject, and submitted it
to Hon. R. S. Jameson, the Attorney-General, for his opinion. The
opinion of the Attorney-General was conclusive in favour of these
rights, and thus this troublesome question, so often raised by
adversaries, was finally set at rest.

The transition period between the death of Lord Sydenham and the arrival
of his successor, Sir Charles Bagot, was marked by much uncertainty in
political matters. In September, 1842, Dr. Ryerson wrote to his friend,
Mr. John P. Roblin, the Liberal M.P.P. for Prince Edward county, on the
apparently threatening aspect of affairs. Mr. Roblin, in his reply,
dated Kingston, September 16th, said:[120]

The political sea has indeed appeared rough; the clouds were dark
and ominous of a dreadful storm. But I am happy to say that they
have passed away, and the prospect before us is now favourable.
There were in the House quite a large majority against ministers;
this they plainly saw, and, therefore, shaped their course to avert
the blow. Hon. W. H. Draper stated distinctly that it was, and had
been, his opinion, that the Lower Canadians should have a fair
proportion of members in the Executive Council, and for that
purpose he had no less than three times tendered his resignation;
that he was ready to go out, and would do so at any moment. Hon. R.
Baldwin certainly occupies a proud position at present, and may
continue to do so, if he is not too punctilious. The arrangement,
which it is understood has been come to, is that Messrs. Ogden,
Draper, and Sherwood go out, and that Mr. L. H. Lafontaine comes in
as Attorney East; Mr. Baldwin, Attorney-General West; Mr. T. C.
Aylwin, Solicitor-General East; Mr. James E. Small, or some other