Metcalfe, Charles Theophilus, Baron

(1785-1846)

   Born in Calcutta, India. Educated at Eton. Resident of Delhi, 1811-1820; in 1820-1827 resident of Hyderabad; and member of the Supreme Council of India, 1827. Provisional governor-general, 1835-1836; and lieutenant-governor of the North-West Provinces, 1836-1838; governor of Jamaica, 1839-1842. In 1843 appointed governor-general of Canada, and held the position until 1845.

   Index: Sy Did not believe that Sydenham was really in favour of responsible government, 312; his reactionary policy, 313. C On the union of 1841, 14-15; his high-handedness, 17; his political schemes, 18; constitutional battle with La Fontaine as to meaning of ministerial responsibility, 97. R Ryerson's defence of, 126, 129-130, 163; opposition to, 126-131; confers with Ryerson on popular education, 163. B Reasons for his selection as governor, 18-19; Hincks on, 18-19; rupture with his advisers, 19; his character and attitude towards responsible government, 19-20, 23, 24; defended by Ryerson, 22; wins elections, 26; leaves Canada, 27; his death, 27; Brown refuses to drink his health, 27-28. H His narrow views and arbitrary conduct, delays full development of responsible government, 55. BL The great political controversy during his administration, x; on responsible government, 138; his arrival in Kingston, reception, and appearance, 155; his character and views on representative government, 156-166; his birth, 158; difficulties of his position, 166-168; relations with Baldwin and La Fontaine, 169-176; 199-214; defended by Daly and MacNab, 214-215; forms provisional government, 216; defended by Wakefield, 219, 220; agitation of the Reform Association, 221-223; attacked by the Globe, 224, 225; public addresses, 226-228; supported by Stanley, the colonial secretary, in his quarrel with the Reformers, 230-234; and by Lord John Russell, Peel, and Buller, 234-235; attempts to form a Cabinet, 235-236; defended by Ryerson, 240-242; Sullivan's reply, 243-244; Ryerson's rejoinder, 245-246; forms Cabinet, 246-247; uses personal influence in elections, 1844, 249-250; wins the election, 250; elevation to peerage, 256-257; his recall, 263, 265; his illness and death, 265; succeeded by Cathcart, 265; his mistaken policy, 272, 274, 285; refuses La Fontaine's request for amnesty, 288, 291; and Baldwin's University Bill, 293; and the Indemnification Bill, 308; La Fontaine's reference to, in his farewell speech, 356. E Succeeds Bagot as governor-general, 32; his defects as governor, 32, 33, 39; comes into conflict with La Fontaine and Baldwin, 33-34; his views on patronage, 34-35; attempts to form a ministry, 35-36, 66, 119; and Ryerson, 36, 90; Kaye's views on, 36; raised to peerage, 37; his death, 37; Macaulay on, 37-38; Hincks on, 38; succeeded by Cathcart, 38; and the Rebellion Losses question, 64; rebels allowed to return from exile, 91. Md Succeeds Sir Charles Bagot as governor-general of Canada, 18; previous appointments, 18; disagrees with Baldwin and La Fontaine on question of patronage, 18, 19; difficulty in forming administration, 19; his high-handed policy, 20; carries on government with three ministers, 20; his administration sustained in general election, 21; resigns, 24; leaves Canada, 24, 25. W New Brunswick House of Assembly presents address to, 74; attacked by Wilmot and Fisher, 74; addresses from St. John and county of York, 74-75; his unconstitutional attitude, 75, 76.

   Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.; Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Kaye, Life and Correspondence of Lord Metcalfe; Ryerson, Story of my Life; Pope, Memoirs of Sir John A. Macdonald.