dency will be propagated by them on their return to Quebec, I am persuaded that the most effectual way of securing the attachment of the Canadians, is that of preventing by all possible means, every communication or connection with France, or persons who are influenced in favor of that country, and therefore it behoves the King’s servants to be watchful of their conduct upon every occasion, and to act with great firmness whenever any discovery should be made of even an attempt inconsistent with their entire separation.
“ I am in daily expectation that the four Priests who were applied for sometime ago, from Savoy, will arrive here, and not a moment’s time shall be lost in sending them to Canada. I have been particularly strenuous in my application, that in the choice of these gentlemen, great care may be taken that their characters are fair and that they may possess the advantages of good education and talents, and I trust, that I shall not be disappointed in my expectations respecting them.
“ Mr. Powell, according to your expectation has arrived in England with a Petition from the Province of Quebec praying a repeal of the Quebec Act ; the establishment of a House of Assembly ; the full exercise of the Habeas-Corpus ; the decision of Trials by optional Juries, and securing the Independance of the Judges, with sundry other requisitions of less importance. No measures, however, have yet been taken in consequence of this Petition, nor do I think it probable that the subjects of it will be hastily decided upon by the King’s servants. The passing of the Ordinance you propose for the introduction of the Habeas-Corpus Act, or some other mode for personal security, I believe will be very proper ; but I am satisfied in my own mind that any further relaxation from the powers of government in the present State of the Province, would be extremely detrimental to its true interests, and that these propositions have been brought forward by designing men, whose attachment to this country appears to me very doubtfull. ”
Page 488. — Extract of a letter to the Right Honorable Lord North, one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of
