Taché, Sir Étienne Pascal

(1795-1865)

   Born in St. Thomas, Quebec. Served during the War of 1812-1815. Studied medicine, practising until 1841. Entered Parliament, and in 1848 became commissioner of public works. Held the position of receiver-general from 1849 to 1856. Appointed to Legislative Council, 1856; subsequently elected Speaker; shortly after became premier, with John A. Macdonald as attorney-general and leader of the lower House. In 1858 visited England; knighted by Queen Victoria; appointed to the honorary rank of colonel in the British army, and made an aide-de-camp to the queen. For a few months in 1864 became premier in conjunction with Macdonald, but on the defeat of the government retired from public life.

   Index: C Replaces Morin in Liberal-Conservative administration, 33; with Cartier, induces Grand Trunk to extend line from Quebec to Rivière du Loup, 49; intrusted by Lord Monck with duty of forming a Cabinet, 68; alliance with Upper Canadian Conservatives, 99. BL Chief commissioner of public works, in second La Fontaine-Baldwin ministry, 284; in Assembly for six years (1841-1846), held office of deputy adjutant-general, given seat in Legislative Council, 284-285. E Chief commissioner of public works in La Fontaine-Baldwin Cabinet, 53; his historic saying as to British supremacy in America, 56; a Liberal leader in Lower Canada, 109; receiver-general in Hincks-Morin government, 113; retains same office in reconstructed ministry in 1853, 126. B Challenges Brown to publish Cardinal Wiseman's pastoral in the Globe, 44; said to have advised Roman Catholics to oppose secularization of Clergy Reserves, 48; forms ministry, 1864, 149; leads coalition government, 159; presents case for Confederation in Upper Chamber, 169; his death, July 30, 1865, 189; his character, 189; his prejudice against the Rouges, 200. R Introduces Separate School Bill, 230. Md Takes Morin's place in the Cabinet, 74; forms administration with Macdonald, 1856, 80; failing health forces him to resign, 83; induced to leave his retirement, and form another administration with Macdonald, which lasts only a few weeks, 90-91; chairman of Confederation Conference held at Quebec, 104; his death, 122. T His government weak, and defeated in 1864, 69; delegate to Quebec Conference, 76; president of Conference, 77.

   Bib.: Morgan, Cel. Can.; Dent, Can. Por. and Last Forty Years; Taylor, Brit. Am.