port of his own proposition his lordship
stated that there were many persons in Lower Canada anxious for such a
union, and that the legislature of Upper Canada had decided in favour of
the plan. The noble lord concluded by moving these resolutions:--I. "It
is the opinion of the house that it is expedient to form a legislative
union of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, on the principles of a
free and representative government, in such a manner as may most conduce
to the prosperity and contentment of the people of the united provinces.
II. That it is expedient to continue until 1842 the powers vested in the
governor and special council of Lower Canada, by an act of last session,
with such alteration of those powers as may be deemed advisable." Mr.
Hume protested against this plan, and Mr. Goulburn moved the adjournment
of the house. Sir Robert Peel expressed his surprise to find that it was
not the intention of her majesty's government to propose any legislative
measure in the present session, having reference to Canada. His
parliamentary experience was entirely against resolutions pledging
the house to any particular course. The debate was adjourned to the
following Monday, when Lord John Russell stated his intention of
withdrawing his resolution, pledging the house to the abstract principle
of a union of Upper and Lower Canada; giving as his reason for this
change in the policy of government, the strong protest against such a
measure on the part of the commons house of assembly of Upper Canada; a
protest which was contained in a report drawn up by a select committee
of that body and presented to her majesty. With reference to the second
resolution, Lord John Russell proposed the continuation for three more
years of the power now placed in the hands of the governor and special
council of Lower Canada. On the resumption of the debate on the 13th
of June, Lord John Russell moved for the withdrawal of the first
resolution. He was still of opinion, he said, that at some future period
such an union should be carried into effect, but in the meanwhile he
thought it necessary that certain exciting topics should be disposed of
by the legislature. Accordingly he proposed to introduce a measure for
the continuance of the act of last session, for the suspension of the
constitution until 1842, and at the same time amending that act in
several particulars. The amendments proposed by his lordship were the
alteration of the clause