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Updated: April 30, 2025
The alternatives before him were a grant of really responsible government, or a rebellion, with annexation to the United States as its probable end. The new Governor saw very clearly the dangers of his predecessor's policy. "The distinction," he wrote at a later date, "between Lord Metcalfe's policy and mine is twofold.
The delimitation of the frontier between Imperial control and Canadian self-government required a subtler and more flexible mind than Metcalfe's, and a longer practice than his in the ways of popular assemblies.
This Report was rendered in April 1846; but though Lord Metcalfe's Ministry which had issued the Commission, avowedly as preliminary to a subsequent and more minute inquiry, remained in office for nearly two years longer, they took no steps towards carrying out their declared intentions.
But their wrath rose to fury on the introduction of a Bill 'to provide for the indemnification of parties in Lower Canada whose property was destroyed during the Rebellion in 1837 and 1838: a 'questionable measure, to use Lord Elgin's own words in first mentioning it, 'but one which the preceding administration had rendered almost inevitable by certain proceedings adopted by them' in Lord Metcalfe's time.
They had also to endure the trial of a temporary defeat at the polls, and an apparent rejection of their policy by the very people for whose liberties they were contending. In the autumn of 1844 the legislature was dissolved and a fierce contest ensued. Governor Metcalfe's attitude is indicated by his biographer.
In this work Brown played a leading part, but before it could be undertaken it was necessary to vindicate the right of the people to self-government. In November, 1843, the resignation of Metcalfe's ministers created a crisis which soon absorbed the energy of the Browns and eventually led to the establishment of the Globe.
A View of Sir Charles Metcalfe's Government of Canada, by a member of the Provincial Parliament, p. 29. Baldwin Correspondence: La Fontaine to Baldwin, 26 July, 1845. Metcalfe to Stanley, 5 August, 1843. Metcalfe to Stanley, 13 May, 1845. Metcalfe to Stanley, 6 August, 1843. Metcalfe to Stanley, 13 May, 1845. Kaye, Life of Lord Metcalfe, ii. pp. 367-8. Ibid. ii. p. 369.
He further declared that he thought Metcalfe's council had an exaggerated view of their power, and that to yield to them would involve dangers to the connection. The novelty involved in his policy lay, however, outside this point of constitutional logic: it was a matter of practice, not of theory.
He fell ill in November, grew steadily worse, and at last asked to be recalled, a request which was granted. At his last cabinet council he bade an affectionate farewell to his ministers, and begged them to defend his memory. His best vindication is found in the failure of Metcalfe's policy, and in the happy results of the policy of Elgin.
At the close of 1847 the Canadian Parliament was dissolved. When the new Parliament met early in 1848, the Ministry Lord Metcalfe's Ministry found itself in a decided minority.
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