HC Deb 14 February 1840 vol 52 cc247-8
Mr. Pakington

inquired of the noble Lord the Secretary for die Colonies, whether any intention existed on the part of the Government to bring in a bill for the union of the two Canadas? He also desired to know whether the returns relating to the various religious denominations in Upper Canada, a part of which were sent home by Governor Arthur last year, would be soon completed, and whether, when they were sent home, there would be any objection to their being laid before the House? He further begged to ask whether Sir George Arthur had been superseded, or whether he had resigned?

Lord John Russell

first begged to state, that the Governor-general on her Majesty's North American provinces had obtained the consent of the legislative councils to take measures for the union of the two provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, By the last accounts which had been received from the Governor-general, he informed the Government that he was then occupied in the details of a bill, that the Chief Justice of Lower Canada was expected in Upper Canada every day, and that he hoped to send the draft of the bill home by the packet, which would leave New York on the 1st of February. This, of course, had not yet arrived; but as soon as the communication was received, it would be taken into the consideration of her Majesty's Government; and he expected, in the course of the ensuing month, to be able to produce a measure upon the subject of the union of the two provinces. With regard to the returns which had been directed to be made, he found that they were not entirely to be depended upon; and he had great doubts whether any means could at present be taken to make them more perfect. He had, however, given instructions to Sir George Arthur to take all the pains in his power to render them as complete as possible. As to the retirement of Sir George Arthur, he had not the least reason to suppose that he was about to relinquish the government of Upper Canada. He had received no intimation from Sir George to that effect, and all the dispatches which had been forwarded to him room the Governor-general expressed the highest approbation of the conduct of the Lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada. The state of his health might possibly afford a reason for his resignation, but no notice to that effect had been received.

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