Bagot, Sir Charles

(1781-1843)

   Born in England. Educated at Rugby and Oxford; entered Parliament, 1807, becoming under-secretary for foreign affairs. Minister plenipotentiary to France, 1814; and to the United States, 1815-1820. Privy councillor, 1815; ambassador to St. Petersburg, 1820; and to the Hague, 1824. Governor-general of Canada, 1841-1843. Died in Kingston soon after retiring from office.

   Index: Sy Follows Canadian line of policy, 351; finds country tranquil, 355. BL His letter to Lord Stanley on La Fontaine's arrest, 49; succeeds Sydenham, 113; a Tory of the old school, 113; previous career, 113; his policy, 113-114; studies political conditions, 114-115; his popularity in Lower Canada, 115; plans a coalition government, 117; his speech from the throne, 122; anxious to bring Baldwin and La Fontaine into Cabinet, 121; his letter to La Fontaine, 122-124; denounced by Tory press, 140-142; difficulties of his position, 141; his illness, 149; subjected to bitter attacks and censure, 149-152; asks for and obtains his recall, 152; his death, May 19, 1843, 152; denounced even in death, 153; on responsible government, 162, 163, 164; Kaye on, 171; lays corner-stone of King's College, 193. E His political attitude as governor, 30; friendly towards French-Canadians, 30-31. R Supported by Ryerson, 122; favourable attitude towards popular government, 126; question of popular education, 163. B Relations of Peel government with, xii; friendly attitude towards French-Canadians, 16; attacked by Tories for bringing La Fontaine and Baldwin into Cabinet, 16; his action denounced by Peel and Duke of Wellington, 17, 18; recalled at his own request, 18; his death, 18. C Concedes responsible government, 17. Md Succeeds Sydenham, 17; brings Reform leaders into Cabinet, 18; resigns government, 18.

   Bib.: Richardson, Eight Years in Canada; Kingsford, History of Canada, Dent, Last Forty Years and Can. Por.; Dict. Nat. Biog.