Union of 1841

   H Act did not concede full measure of responsible government, 53. BL Planned by Sydenham, 60-61; bitterly opposed in Lower Canada, 61; protested against by La Fontaine, 61, 70; attitude of Upper Canada, 61-68; opposed by Chief-Justice Robinson, 61-62; Act of Union enacted--its terms, 68-69; proclaimed Feb. 10, 1841, 69; seat of government, 73; provision as to language of Legislature denounced by La Fontaine, 128; boundaries of Quebec constituencies, 146; slight influence on force of racial discussion, 282. P Union first proposed in 1822, bill introduced in British House of Commons that year, 43-44; petition against, 44; Papineau and Neilson go to England to oppose bill, 44-53; bill suggested by Ellice of Beauharnois, 47; bill withdrawn, 53; repeal of, demanded by Papineau, 167; accepted by La Fontaine, 170; protest of French Canadians, 170; defended by La Fontaine, 173-176; Papineau's criticism of, 181-182. C Recommended by Durham, 12; approved by Special Council, 12; and by Upper Canada Legislative Assembly, 13; terms demanded by Upper Canada, 13; Poulett Thomson secures modifications of, 14; French Canadians protest against, 15; La Fontaine protests against, 96; concedes ministerial responsibility, 97. E Unsatisfactory working of, when Elgin came to Canada, 4-5; its terms, 22-23; described by La Fontaine as "an act of injustice and despotism," 24; unsatisfactory to French Canadians, 25; Elgin proposes repeal of clause restricting use of the French language, 55; restrictions removed, 1849, 61; increase of representation under, 117; clauses relating to Legislative Council repealed, 120; amendment to representation, 122-123. Sy Recommended in Lord Durham's Report, 94; advocated by Constitutional Associations of Quebec and Montreal, 112; favoured by Legislative Assembly of Canada on certain conditions, 113, 114; opposed by Legislative Council, 113, 115; strongly opposed by French Canadians, 117; favoured by English element in Lower Canada, 117; Lord John Russell's speech and resolutions with reference to, 117-122; diverse views regarding, 191, 192; question submitted to Special Council of Lower Canada, 192; their report on, 193; question discussed in press, 193, 194; submitted to Upper Canada Legislature, 203; carried in Assembly, 207; Attorney-General Hagerman argues strongly against, 207-209; carried in Legislative Council, 209; supported by general body of Reformers, 213; anti-union resolutions passed at Quebec, 233; in favour of union, 235; royal assent given to Act, 271; as drafted by Sydenham, provided for municipal institutions, 273; municipal clauses struck out of bill, 275; object of, to insure a British future for the country, 283. Md Embodies theory of responsible government, 17; provides that proceedings of Legislature be printed in English only, 24. Mc Bill introduced by Lord John Russell, 405; Poulett Thomson sent to secure consent of Canada to, 405; bill introduced a second time, 405.

   Bib.: Dent, Last Forty Years; McMullen, History of Canada; Bourinot, Constitutional History of Canada; Egerton and Grant, Canadian Constitutional Documents; Houston, Constitutional Documents; Turcotte, Canada sous l'Union; Robinson, Canada and the Canada Bill; Bonnycastle, Canada in 1841.