ondence which
would all be printed in a few days. I replied, that if what he (Mr.
Merritt) stated was correct, Sir Charles Metcalfe was an injured man,
and that the new system of responsible government was likely to be
applied in a way contrary to what had always been professed by its
advocates. Mr. Merritt requested me to examine for myself the documents
and correspondence to which he had referred, but enjoining secresy as to
his conversation with me--and which I never mentioned to any human being
during his life.

After Mr. Merritt returned to St. Catharines he wrote to Dr. Ryerson
early in January, 1844 on the subject, as follows:--

There can be little doubt that both the Governor and his late
administration have erred. A conciliatory spirit would have avoided
this crisis; they had an opportunity of placing this Province in a
most enviable situation--they have neglected, or did not possess
the ability to avail themselves of it; and I am sorry to say, that
I am neither satisfied with their measures, nor can I place
confidence in their judgment. At the same time I feel so thoroughly
convinced of the necessity of having under the control of our
Legislature the entire management of our internal concerns--without
which any attempt at a thorough reformation would be useless--that
I have my apprehensions, that any movement which would have a
tendency to check its onward progress, would be injurious--the
principle does not appear to be fully understood, or fully
conceded. The time has not arrived--nevertheless I feel satisfied
the Governor-General would admit it, and act fully up to it with
any Cabinet which possessed his confidence, and thus bring it into
action much earlier than persisting in the opposite course. On the
other hand, you are subject to the imputation of abandoning men who
resigned for the maintenance of that principle, and few can doubt
the honesty of purpose of Lafontaine and Baldwin.

Being thus placed on the horns of a dilemma, the wisest plan is,
perhaps, to let matters take their course--at all events I have
made up my mind to do so. I should be most happy to hear from you
on the subject, knowing you have given those subjects much
attention; and believing that your mind is devoted to promoting the
best interests of your fellow countrymen, your opinions are
received w