da during 1849 was most unhappy, and the policy of the
English ministry most unjust. The discontent existed chiefly in Upper
or Western Canada, and amongst the population, which was British, or of
British origin. In 1837-8, when nearly all Lower or Eastern Canada was
in open rebellion, only partial insurrection existed in the Western
province, where people armed in behalf of the government. During
the rule of Lord Metcalfe, a bill of indemnity passed the Canadian
legislature, on behalf of the loyalists of Western Canada, who had
suffered loss of property in consequence of their loyalty. As soon as
Lord Elgin became governor-general, claims were set up for the loyalists
who had incurred losses in Lower Canada. This seemed to be reasonable
and just; but the portions of that province which had suffered at all
had been the foci of rebellion, and the sufferers were those who had
perilled life and property in opposition to the government; it was
therefore a trick on the part of the Lower Canadians, who had been the
rebels, to reimburse themselves at the expense of the loyal population.
The proposal therefore excited in Upper Canada, in portions even of
Lower Canada, and in Great Britain, warm indignation, and a formidable
opposition was organised. During the Canadian session of 1848, the
colonial ministry was obliged to resign in consequence of a vote of want
of confidence; that ministry had belonged to the British party, but the
vote constrained the governor to choose his ministers from the Lower
Canadian, or French party. This ministry was of course favourable to
the scheme of their own party, and encouraged those whose rebellion had
caused their losses, to prosecute the demand, which practically amounted
to a tax upon the loyal, for the especial advantage of the disloyal. In
consequence of the opposition, by the English party, the bill actually
brought in provided that no person who had been guilty of treason after
the 1st of November, 1837, should be allowed to claim under the act of
indemnification. This concession, which appeared to comprehend all that
was necessary, and to place the measure on an equitable basis, did not
satisfy the British party, who declared they had no confidence in
the ministry, whose sympathies were wholly French, and who would find
pretexts for indemnifying their own party by ignoring the proofs
of their treason. The bill, however, passed through the Canadian
parliament, after a fierce struggle fro