CO885(1-2) — Page 116

Apsie Taverns JOVI

VIII

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CONFIDENTIAL.

So much fault has been found with our Colonial policy, that it may be of advantage to review it and ascertain what has been its true character, and what has really been accomplished.

And, first, with regard to the important Colonies

in North America.-In these it is incontestible that

a great improvement has taken place.

Up to July 1846, the problem of bringing into satisfactory operation that system of administration which had been contemplated by Lord John Russell when Secretary of State for the Colonies, and which is commonly described by the somewhat incorrect name of "Responsible Government," had certainly not been solved.

In Canada, during Lord Sydenham's administra- tion, the insurrection was still too recent, and its effect in creating animosity and disaffection amongst one division of the population had been too great to allow the principles of constitutional freedom to be fully acted upon; and it was only by arrangements which practically deprived the French Canadians of their just influence in the popular branch of the Legislature that an Assembly was obtained with which it was possible to carry on the Government.

While Sir Charles Bagot was Governor, a nearer approach was made to the establishment of a really Constitutional system; but this was still very

im- perfectly effected, and after his death, Lord Metcalfe was driven by circumstances into an open rupture with one of the great parties into which the colony is divided; and after having had recourse to a dis- solution, his personal popularity and influence only

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B

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

PILTIC.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO