n a tax on the
land-owners alone. There was, moreover, another consideration. 'The
_Habitants_,' writes the political annalist already quoted, 'consider
themselves sufficiently taxed by the French law of the land, in being
obliged to pay rents and other feudal burthens to the Seigneur, and
tythes to the Priest; and if you were to ask any of them to contribute
two bushels of Wheat, or two Dollars, for the support of Government, he
would give you the equivocal French sign of inability or unwillingness,
by shrugging up his shoulders.'

As usual, the French-Canadian majority carried their point. Thereupon,
the indignation of the English minority flared forth in a very emphatic
manner. They accused the French Canadians of foisting upon them the
whole burden of taxation, and they declared that an end must be put to
French-Canadian domination over English Canadians. 'This province,'
asserted the Quebec _Mercury_, 'is already too French for a British
colony.... Whether we be in peace or at war, it is essential {15} that
we should make every effort, by every means available, to oppose the
growth of the French and their influence.'

The answer of the French Canadians to this language was the
establishment in 1806 of a newspaper, _Le Canadien_, in which the point
of view of the majority in the House might be presented. The official
editor of the paper was Jean Antoine Bouthillier, but the conspicuous
figure on the staff was Pierre Bedard, one of the members of the House
of Assembly. The tone of the paper was generally moderate, though
militant. Its policy was essentially to defend the French against the
ceaseless aspersions of the _Mercury_ and other enemies. It never
attacked the British government, but only the provincial authorities.
Its motto, '_Notre langue, nos institutions et nos lois_,' went far to
explain its views and objects.

No serious trouble resulted, however, from the policy of _Le Canadien_
until after the arrival of Sir James Craig in Canada, and the
inauguration of what some historians have named 'the Reign of Terror.'
Sir James Craig, who became governor of Canada in 1807, was a
distinguished soldier. He had seen service in the American
Revolutionary {16} War, in South Africa, and in India. He was,
however, inexperienced in civil government and apt to carry his ideas
of military discipline into the conduct of civil affairs. Moreover, he
was prejudiced against the inhabitants and had doubts of th