HC Deb 15 February 1839 vol 45 cc506-7

Mr. Hume moved for the return of the revenues received in Lower Canada in each of the years 1833, 1814, 1835, 1836, 1837, and 1838. He said, that he was not aware at the time he had given the notice, that the Under-Secretary for the colonies would he absent from the House, because he intended to arraign the conduct of that officer, which had not been correct. He wished to know whether there would be any objection to the production of the papers he had moved for.

Mr. F. Baring

was understood not to object to the production of the return of the revenues, but to object to the granting the other information sought by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Hume

said, that in January 1838, he had stated in that House, that the in- habitants of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward's island, and Newfoundland, were as dissatisfied with the condition of their governments, as the inhabitants of the Canadas. This statement had been immediately contradicted from the Treasury bench, and he had the next day moved for these returns to prove the truth of his assertion, and they had not yet been laid before the House. The information they contained could be procured from the newspapers; in fact, everybody could get information on these subjects except Members of this House.

Mr. F. Baring

was understood to say, that he was not prepared to account for the delay, but it must have been occasioned by great carelessness somewhere.

Mr. Hume

Yes, so it appears, gross carelessness somewhere. He would merely renew his motion for the production of the Address.

House counted out.