3943.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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TTIIN C.O. &
885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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No. 175.
(CANADA.)
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
MY LORD DUKE,
Temple, April 21, 1863. We are honoured with your Grace's commands, signified in Sir Frederic Rogers' letter of the 9th instant, in which he enclosed to us the copy of a Despatch addressed to the Governor-General of Canada on 12th April 1862, respecting the mode of appointing Canadian bishops, and stating that among the enclosures was our (the Attorney and Solicitor-General's) joint opinion, together with that of the late Queen's Advocate (Sir J. Harding), in which was conveyed the approval of a more compendious mode of proceeding than has hitherto been in use.
No. 26, 12
Sir Frederic Rogers also stated that he was directed by your Grace to transmit the copy of a Despatch from Lord Monck enclosing the copy of an address from the Synod Mar. 1963. of Quebec praying that Her Majesty may be pleased to direct the consecration of the Reverend James William Williams as bishop of that diocese.
Sir Frederic Rogers was also to observe that in case any necessary or proper formality should be wanting in this address, it might possibly be supplied by the Metropolitan Bishop of Montreal, who is now in this country; and was also to add that while your Grace is desirous that the present occasion should be taken to place the forms of proceeding in this matter on a proper footing for the future, your Grace would much regret that any unnecessary delay should occur by insisting on any formality not positively necessary in order to authorise the prompt issue on the present occasion of the Letters Patent, or other instrument necessary on the part of the Crown to give effect to the wishes of the petitioners.
And that, under these circumstances, he (Sir F. Rogers) was to request that we would take this memorial into consideration and advise your Grace-
1. What steps should now be taken towards the consecration of the Reverend James William Williams.
2. What alterations or additions are required to the present form of memorial, or what further or subsidiary documents should be transmitted with it in cases which may hereafter arise.
In obedience to your Grace's commands, we have taken this memorial and the questions submitted to us into consideration, and have the honour to
Report
That the address appears to us not to be wanting in any necessary or proper formality.
That we are of opinion that Her Majesty should be advised to issue her mandate for the consecration of the Bishop of Quebec to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury and his suffragans in this country, or to the Bishop of Montreal, the metropolitan of Canada, to whom the oath of canonical obedience is to be taken by the Bishop of Quebec, and to two or more of his suffragans in Canada.
Probably this latter course, as the newly elected bishop is in Canada, would be the more convenient course, as otherwise the archbishop would be obliged to send a commission to the Canadian bishops to consecrate for him.
We have, &c.
(Signed)
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
WM. ATHERTON. ROUNDELL PALMER. ROBERT PHILLIMÜKE
o 18278-45.
23.--2/86.
NAT TO