§ Mr. Roebuckrose to put a question to the right hon. Baronet on the subject of the intended mediation. It had been promised when the question was brought forward by him, that a person should be sent out on the part of our Government as mediator between this country and Canada, whose character should be altogether free from all bias, affection, or partiality. Since then an appointment had been made in his opinion, not conformable with that pledge. Lord Amherst had been named as mediator. Now the Right Hon. Baronet did not, perhaps, know that this Nobleman was connected by marriage (being brother-in-law) with Mr. Haile, who was principal of a party in the colony, against which many of the complaints of the colonists were levelled.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerconfessed he had never before heard of this connexion; remote as it was, he could not for a moment anticipate it would produce a prejudice in the minds of a liberal population, such as the Canadians, against a Nobleman of so much talent, and who had filled so high a situation as the Governor-Generalship of India.—He appreciated justly the character of the people of Canada, and believed they would be above any such groundless and unworthy prejudice.
§ Mr. Roebucksaid, he entertained no such prejudice himself. He was, however, apprehensive the appointment of a relative of Mr. Haile might be productive of considerable discontent in the colony.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerthought it impossible any such slight connexion as that alluded to could influence the conduct of the Canadians in this dispute. He entertained too high a respect for them ever to conceive it possible they should harbour suspicions of the impartiality of the noble Lord appointed on that very delicate and important mission.
§ Subject dropped.