SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 la Bonté du Roy pour croire qu'il accorderoit à tout le Nombreux peuple de cette Colonie le delai suffisant, pour en sacrifiant tous leurs biens, aller, Grater la Terre, dans desespoir, ou en les regardant comme Sujets, ils pourroient mettre leur Vie, et celle de leur Enfants à la Crie de l'injustice, ce qu'ils ne pourroient faire en restant icy, privés des Employs, ou charges en qualités de Jurés. La Douceur d'un Gouvernement actuel nous a fait oublier nos pertes, et nous a attaché à S. M. et au Gouvernement, nos Confreres nous font envisager notre Etat comme celui d'Esclaves; les veritables et fideles Sujets du Roy peuvent ils le devinir. Ce qui nous fait conclure aux Protestations que nous faisons contre nos Signatures de la deliberation du Seize du Courant, en tout ce qu'elles pourroient nous prejudicier. fait a Quebec le 26° Octo' 1764. BONNEAU, TACHET, CHAREST, AMIOT PENEY DAMONT. (Translation) PERRAULT Charrest, Amiot, Tachet, Boisseaux, Poney, Dumont & Perrault new Subjects, Grand Jurors in the districts of Quebec, having demanded from His Excellency in Council the Translation into French of two Presentments written in English in the House of the Three Canons, all the Jurors being assembled, one of which presentments of the 16th of the present month of October, was signed by the petitioners along with the other jurors, and the other was signed by the jurors who were ancient subjects understanding English alone, and having obtained the same, they consider themselves bound to declare the part which they had taken in the articles which compose the first Presentment. They begin by saying that before the Signature of this Presentment, there had been many sessions, where the question had been discussed by making Several Drafts of Presentment on loose sheets, and of these the petitioners had knowledge of only a part while many of those, with the contents of which they were acquainted, had been modified or rejected by the Petitioners; that a Summary certainly had been made of all the papers, and that after it was made, it was offered to us for Signature; without being interpreted, but was read in English only, that when it was requested by some of us, that it should be read to us, the answer was that this summary was only a Resumé of the Drafts of the Articles which had been proposed and accepted during the late Sessions, that time pressed for their presentation and that it was very unnecessary. They intend therefore to set forth the part which they have had in the different Articles which compose this Presentment. 1 Article. Not only had we no knowledge of this Article, but we should certainly have opposed this proposition with all our might, as being contrary to the interests of His Majesty's New Subjects in the Colony, and as being opposed to the wise ordinance of the Governor and Council, who, seeing the necessity of establishing a Court of Justice where the New Subjects should be able to find a Sanctuary in which they might be judged as Frenchmen by Frenchmen, according to Ancient Customs, and in their own Tongue, has since been requested in a Petition to name the Judge of this Jurisdiction and which the Petitioners themselves have signed as Citizens; for besides the convenience that it would be to them to be judged in this Jurisdiction, they would save more than half the costs. 2. 3. 4. Artes. We did not understand these Articles if they were interpreted to us, and as we are ignorant of what is going on in the different Colonies, we have no interest in proposing any particular alterations in these Articles. 5. We understand that wooden Houses and Stalls in the Market are contrary to good Policy, and are sometimes the Causes of Fires. 6. We have suggested with regard to the Quays and Dockyards that they should be allotted for the use and convenience of Trade. As to the Batteries we do not consider that they appertain to our Department. 7. We have heard this Article in part, and only in connection with Sunday obserBut the Proposal of having a Minister to preach the Gospel in both languages has certainly not been explained to us. vance. 6-7 EDWARD VII., A. 1907 8. We have no Knowledge that this matter has ever been brought up for Consideration. 9 & 10. These two Articles have not been explained to us, and we are not sufficiently far-seeing to pay attention to Measures which at present appear to us very remote, owing to the hope which we entertain that no question of Taxation for this Colony will arise. 11. We have not understood this whole Article as it is explained. We have even demonstrated how prejudicial to the Colony, was the Proposition to diminish the Court of Appeals, in that it would open a wide road to new lawsuits, that past cases had been settled according to the circumstances of the Time, and that Proofs which might have been valid for judgments then, could no longer be in existence, which would completely change the aspect of Things; however, accepting what we were told, that this Article was subject to the Will of the Governor and His Council, we subscribed to it and the S. Tachet made a note of the reservation on a loose sheet, which was left at the office, as a Minute. Moreover we had not heard that a request for such a large reduction on the Appeals was asked for, it having only been a question of asking for an Amendment. 12. This Article has never been communicated to us, and we imagine it was only proposed, because it is stated in that ordinance, that Canadian Lawyers, New Subjects of H. M. might practise. The ordinance appears to us the more equitable, in that it is only right that the new Canadian Subjects should employ Persons whom they understand, and by whom They are understood, all the more because there is not one English Lawyer who knows the French Language, and with whom it would not be necessary to employ an Interpreter who would scarcely ever give the exact meaning of the Matter in hand. And further, without this wise regulation which ensures the Tranquility of domestic affairs would not the opposing Parties find themselves involved in exorbitant expense? 13. We are thoroughly familiar with the Items which form a Part of this Article, such as the Proposal to establish Regulations for the Measuring of Wood, for Carters and Vehicles of every description, for the best method of keeping the Streets, public Squares, and Docks clean, and for the Sweeping of Chimneys to prevent Accidents by fire. We have given our consent solely to these Items, and our present situation does not allow us to extend our care in other directions. 14. There has been no question of discussing Gaming Houses except in desultory conversation, and we did not suppose it had been spoken of seriously enough to make it worth while to consider, if it was proposed to denounce them as suspicious Houses, especially that of the said King, to whom none of us can attribute as a crime the Protection which is granted him by those whom he has the Faculty of Serving so well. Besides this we did happen to say in conversation that if they were playing at unseasonable Hours, and at Games proscribed by the Police, then this Article might represent it as dangerous to youth and to Trade, but we have absolutely no knowledge that this Article was in the Presentment which we have signed. Of 15. We did not understand this Article in the Sense in which it is explained. course we were aware that it was at the request and Solicitation of the Town, and for the Safety of the same, that the order to carry Lanterns had been obtained, and we believe that it certainly would conduce to the security of the Town and to good order to carry it out. We have replied to this Effect in French to a letter from the Governor of this Province, on the last Day of our Session, at which time he proposed to establish public lamps, if the Cost was not excessive. Although written in French, many of our Fellow-members read it, and have told us that they on their side replied to the same effect in English. We quite realize that in order to avoid Confusion in the future, Canadian Jurors should give their Opinions only after the Subjects on which it is asked have been translated into the French Language. In view of the knowledge that we, the Ga Jurors, Canadian new Subjects of H. M. have, having read it in the French tongue,-of the Presentment which our confreres, the Ancient Subjects, Grand Jurors, have made at the Court of Session, and of the two Subscriptions, with the intention of excluding us from the privilege of serving ourselves SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 and Our associates, our Country and our King, pretending that they conscientiously believe us to be incapable of holding any office or even of repulsing and fighting the Enemies of H. My We make the following statement. That H. M being informed that all the Subjects forming this Province were Catholics still believed them capable as such of taking the Oath of Loyalty, and therefore fit to be admitted to the service of their Country, in such a way as they shall be thought qualified for. It would be shameful to believe that the Canadians, New Subjects, cannot serve their King either as Serjeant, or Officers, it would be a most humiliating thought, and very discouraging to free Subjects who have been admitted to the Privileges of the Nation, and their Rights, as explained by H. M. For more than six Months we have had Catholic Canadian Officers in the Upper Country, and a Number of Volunteers aiding to repulse the Enemies of the Nation; and cannot a man who exposes himself freely to shed his blood in the Service of his King and of the Nation be admitted to positions where he can serve the Nation and the Public as a Juror, since he is a subject? The 3rd of James I. Chap. 5. Sec. 8. only refers to Catholics who may enter the Kingdom, and as there has never been any law in any Kingdom without some exception* was a proof that in time England would admit to the National rights so numerous a Colony of Catholics, or if this had been foreseen, that the Law would seek to make them slaves. We think differently from our confreres, and even if we were of their opinion, we should have enough Confidence in the King's Goodness to believe that he would grant all the Numerous people of this Colony sufficient respite to depart, though at the sacrifice of all their possessions, and in desperation cultivate the Ground, in some place, where being considered as Subjects, they and their Children might lead their Lives sheltered from Injustice. This they could never do here were they deprived of all Offices, or positions as Jurors. The Leniency of the existing Government has made us forget our losses, and has attached us to H. M. and to the Government; our fellow citizens make us feel our Condition to be that of Slaves. Can the faithful and loyal Subjects of the King be reduced to this? This ends the Protest that we make against the use of our Signatures on the Presentment of the Sixteenth instant, in every point in which they might be prejudicial to Done at Quebec the 26th October 1764. us. ADDRESS OF FRENCH CITIZENS TO THE KING REGARDING THE La véritable gloire d'un Roy conquérant est de procurer aux vaincus le même bon ̄ heur et la même tranquilité dans leur Religion et dans la Possession de leurs biens, dont ils jouissoient avant leur deffaite: Nous avons joui de cette Tranquilité pendant la Guerre même, elle a augmentée depuis la Paix faitte. Hé voilà comme elle nous a été procurée. Attachés à notre Religion, nous avons juré au pied du Sanctuaire une fidelité inviolable à Votre Majesté, nous ne nous en sommes jamais écartés, et nous jurons de nouveau de ne nous en jamais écarter, fussions nous par la suitte aussy malheureux que nous avons été heureux; mais comment pourrions nous ne pas l'être, après les Temoignages de bonté paternelle dont Votre Majesté nous a fait assurer, que nous ne serions jamais troublés dans l'exercise de notre Religion. Il nous a parû de même par la façon dont la Justice nous a été rendüe jusqu'à présent, que l'intention de Sa Majesté étoit, que les Coutumes de nos Peres fussent suivies, pour ce qui étoit fait avant la Conquête du Canada, et qu'on les suivit à l'avenir, autant que cela ne seroit point contraire aux Loix d'Angleterre et au bien général. * Some line must have been omitted here, for as it is, it is not sense. 1 Canadian Archives; B 8, p. 121. 18-3-11 6-7 EDWARD VII., A. 1907 Monsieur Murray, nommé Gouverneur de la Province de Quebec à la satisfaction de tous les Habitans, nous a rendu jusques à present à la Tête d'un Conseil militaire toute la Justice que nous aurions pû attendre des personnes de Loi les plus éclairés ; cela ne pouvoit être autrement; le Désinteressement et l'Equité faisoient la Baze de leurs Jugements. Depuis quatre ans nous jouissons de la plus grande Tranquilité; Quel bouleversement vient donc nous l'enlever? de la part de quatre ou Cinq Persones de Loy, dont nous respectons le Caractère, mais qui n'entendent point notre Langue, et qui voudroient qu'aussitôt qu'elles ont parlé, nous puissions comprendre des Constitutions qu'elles ne nous ont point encore expliquées et aux quelles nous serons toujours prêts de nous soumettre, lorsqu'elles nous seront connues; mais comment les Connoître, si elles ne nous sont point rendües en notre Langue? De là, nous avons vu avec peine nos Compatriotes emprisonnés sans être entendus, et ce, à des fraix considèrables, ruineux tant pour le débiteur que pour le Créancier ; nous avons vu toutes les Affaires de Famille, qui se décidoient cy-devant a peu de frais, arrêtées par des Personnes qui veulent se les attribuer, et qui ne savent ny notre Langue ni nos Coutumes et à qui on ne peut parler qu'avec des Guinées à la Main. Nous esperons prouver à Votre Majesté avec la plus parfaite Soumission ce que nous avons lhonneur de luy avancer. Notre Gouverneur à la Tête de son Conseil a rendu un Arrêt1 pour lEtablissement de la Justice, par lequel nous avons vu avec plaisir, que pour nous soutenir dans la Décision de nos affaires de famille et autres, il seroit etabli une Justice inférieure, où toutes les Affaires de François à François y seroient decidées ; Nous avons Vu que par un autre Arrêt, pour eviter les Procès, les affaires cy-devant décidées seroient sans appel, à moins qu'elles ne soient de la Valeur de trois Cents Livres. 2 Avec la même Satisfaction que nous avons vu ces Sages Réglements avec la même peine avons nous vu que quinze Ĵurés Anglois contre Sept Jurés nouveaux Sujets, leur ont fait souscrire des Griefs en une Langue quils n'entendoient point contre ces mêmes Réglements; ce qui se prouve par leurs Protestations et par leurs Signatures qu'ils avoient données la veille sur une Requête pour demander fortement au Gouverneur et Conseil la Séance de leur Juge, attendu que leurs Affaires en souffroient. Nous avons vu dans toute l'amertume de nos Cœurs, qu'après toutes les Preuves de la Tendresse Paternelle de Votre Majesté pour ses nouveaux Sujets ces mêmes quinze Jurés soutenus par les Gens de Loy nous proscrire comme incapables d'aucunes fonctions dans notre Patrie par la difference de Religion; puisque jusqu'aux Chirurgiens et Apothicaires (fonctions libres en tout Pays) en sont du nombre. Qui sont ceux qui veulent nous faire proscrire? Environ trente Marchands anglois, dont quinze au plus sont domiciliés, qui sont les Proscrits? Dix mille Chefs de famille, qui ne respirent, que la soumission aux Ordres de Votre Majesté, ou de ceux qui la représentent, qui ne connoissent point cette prétendue Liberté que l'on veut leur inspirer, de s'opposer à tous les Réglements, qui peuvent leur être avantageux, et qui ont assez d'intelligence pour Connoître que leur Interêt particulier les conduit plus que le Bien public En Effet que deviendroit le Bien Genéral de la Colonie, si ceux, qui en composent le Corps principal, en devenoient des Membres inutiles par la différence de la Religion? Que deviendroit la Justice si ceux qui n'entendent point notre Langue, ny nos Coutûmes, en devenoient les Juges par le Ministere des Interprètes? Quelle Confusion? Quels Frais mercenaires n'en résulteroient-ils point? de Sujets protégés par Votre Majesté, nous deviendrons de véritables Esclaves; une Vingtaine de Personnes, que nous n'entendons point, deviendroient les Maitres de nos Biens et de nos Interets, plus de Ressources pour nous dans les Personnes de Probité, aux quelles nous avions recours pour l'arrangement de nos affaires de famille, et qui en nous abandonnant, nous forceroient nous mêmes à préferer la Terre la plus ingrate à cette fertile que nous possedons. Ce n'est point que nous ne soyons prêts de nous soumettre avec la plus respectueuse obéissance à tous les Réglements qui seront faits pour le bien et avantage de la 1 The ordinance of Sept. 17th, 1764. See p. 149. 2 The ordinance of Sept. 20th, 1764. See "Ordinances, made for the Province of Quebec, &c." 1767. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 18 Colonie; mais la Grace, que nous demandons, c'est que nous puissions les entendre: Notre Gouverneur et son Conseil nous ont fait part de ceux qui ont été rendus, ils sont pour le Bien de la Colonie, nous en avons temoigné notre reconnoissance; et on fait souscrire à ceux qui nous représentent, comme un Mal, ce que nous avons trouvé pour un Bien ! Pour ne point abuser des Moments précieux de Votre Majesté, nous finissons par l'assurer, que sans avoir connu les Constitutions Angloises, nous avons depuis quatre Ans goûté la douceur du Gouvernement, la gouterions encore, si Mess" les Jurés anglois avoient autant de soumission pour les décisions sages du Gouverneur et de son Conseil, que nous en avons; si par des Constitutions nouvelles, qu'ils veulent introduire pour nous rendre leurs Esclaves, ils ne cherchoient point à changer tout de suite l'ordre de la Justice et son Administration, s'ils ne vouloient pas nous faire discuter nos Droits de famille en Langues etrangères, et par là, nous priver des Personnes éclairées dans nos Coutumes, qui peuvent nous entendre, nous accommoder et rendre Justice à peu de frais en faisant leurs Efforts pour les empêcher même de conseiller leurs Patriotes pour la difference de Religion, ce que nous ne pouvons regarder que comme un Interêt particulier et sordide de ceux qui ont suggéré de pareils principes. Nous supplions Sa Majesté avec la plus sincère et la plus respectueuse soumission de confirmer la Justice, qui a été établie pour déliberation du Gouverneur et Conseil pour les François, ainsy que les Jurés et tous autres de diverses Professions, de conserver les Notaires et Avocats dans leurs Fonctions, de nous permettre de rédiger nos Affaires de famille en notre Langue, et de suivre nos Coutumes, tant qu'elles ne seront point Contraires au Bien général de la Colonie, et que nous ayons en notre Langue une Loy promulguée et des Ordres de Votre Majesté, dont nous nous déclarons, avec le plus inviolable Respect, 1 1 1 Apparently in consequence of these representations, an additional instruction to Murray was framed and sent in the latter part of 1764, although the exact date is not given. As contained in the Dartmouth Papers, it appears as follows: 1764. Instructions to Murray. That the misconstruction of the proclamation of 7th October, 1763, be removed and that in making provision for the due and impartial administration of justice that there shall extend to all "subjects in general the protection and benefit of the British laws and constitution in "all cases where their Lives and Liberties are concerned. But shall not operate to take away from "the native Inhabitants the Benefit of their own Laws and Customs in Cases where Titles to Land, and the modes of Descent, Alienation and Settlement are in Question, nor to preclude them from that share "in the Administration of Judicature, which both in Reason and Justice they are intitled to in Common "with the rest of our subjects." The proposed instructions with notes of alterations suggested. The instructions as finally sent are in the Colonial Office. Canadian Archives, Dartmouth Papers, M 383, p. 50. 66 18-3-111 |