Neilson, John

(1776-1848)

   Born in Scotland. In 1790 came to Canada, and in 1797 edited the Quebec Gazette. Member of the provincial Assembly for Quebec County, 1818. In 1822 one of the delegates, with Papineau, sent to England to oppose the union of Upper and Lower Canada; and in 1830 went on a similar mission. Member of the Canadian Parliament, 1840; and Speaker of the Legislative Council, 1844.

   Index: Sy Proprietor of Quebec Gazette, and member of Special Council of Lower Canada, his opposition to union, 193, 194, 211, 234, 309; opposed also to responsible government, 211; continued opposition to Union Act, 287; the real leader of the French-Canadians in 1841, 295. P Proprietor of Quebec Gazette--supports Papineau in his opposition to proposed union of Upper and Lower Canada in 1822, 46-47; sent as delegate to London, 46; persecuted by Dalhousie, 55; again sent to England with French-Canadian petition, 63; Papineau's friendship for, 67; Papineau's letters to, 67-68; deserts Papineau because of his violent attitude towards government, 86; loses his seat in Assembly, 102; attacked by Papineau, 169. BL Supports Papineau and popular party, 20; moves amendment against Act of 1840, 96; his amendment voted down, 97.

   Bib.: Morgan, Cel. Can.; Christie, History of Lower Canada; Dent, Last Forty Years.