HC Deb 29 July 1840 vol 55 cc1101-4

Lord John Russell moved the third reading of the Canada Clergy Reserves Bill.

Mr. Hume

objected to the bill. As a proof that the hostility of the people of Upper Canada to everything in the shape of a church establishment was not of recent origin, but had long been entertained, the hon. Gentleman referred to the journals of the House of Assembly in Upper Canada, in which there was entered a resolution recommending the sale of the clergy reserves, and the application of them to purposes of education. The hon. Gentleman read the following extract from the journals of the House of Assembly of Upper Canada, March 12, 1831:— Resolution to sell the Clergy Reserves for Education. That to terminate the jealousy and dissension which have hitherto existed on the subject of the said reserves, to remove a barrier to the settlement of the country, and to provide a fund available for the promotion of education, it is extremely desirable that the said lands so reserved be sold, and the proceeds arising from the sale of the same placed at the disposal of the provincial legislature, to be applied exclusively for those purposes. That a humble address be presented to his Majesty setting forth the subject of this resolution, and praying his Majesty will be graciously pleased to recommend to his Majesty's parliament of Great Britain and Ireland to pass an Act to authorise the sale of the clergy reserves remaining unsold, and to enable the legislature of this province to appropriate the proceeds thereof in such manner as may be considered most expedient for the advancement of education, and in aid of erecting places of public worship for various denominations of Christians.

An amendment was proposed. That it be resolved, that the Imperial Parliament, in pursuance of the gracious recommendation of our late revered Sovereign Lord King George Third, hath appropriated for the maintenance and support of a Protestant clergy within this province, a certain allotment of lands usually known as the clergy reserves. That the diffusion of religious knowledge and instruction, is an object of the first importance to the happiness and welfare of mankind. That the land appropriated for the support of ministers of religion in this province, having been made with a view to this object, it is repugnant to the best interests of the inhabitants of Upper Canada, to apply them to any other use. The amendment was lost by twenty-nine to seven, being a majority of twenty-two. The original question was carried by thirty against seven, majority twenty-three. The hon. Member concluded by moving That this House feels confident, that, to promote the prosperity of that portion of her Majesty's dominions in Upper Canada, and to satisfy the earnest desire of the people of that province, it is expedient to give the most favourable consideration to the wishes of her Majesty's loyal subjects there; that, to terminate the jealousy and dissension which have hitherto existed on the subject of the clergy reserves, to remove a barrier to the settlement of the country, and to provide a fund available for the promotion of education, it is extremely desirable that the said lands, so reserved, be sold, and the proceeds arising from the sale of the same placed at the disposal of the provincial legislature, to be applied exclusively for that purpose.

Lord John Russell

said, that though the arrangement made on this subject, was not all he could have wished, yet it was better than leaving the question unsettled, and he therefore could not assent to the resolution proposed.

The House divided on the original question:—Ayes 51; Noes 10: Majority 41.

List of the AYES.
Alston, R. Lushington, rt. hn. S.
Baring, rt. hn. F. T. Maule, hon. F.
Barnard, E. G. Morris, D.
Berkeley, hon. H. Morrison, J.
Bernal, R. Muntz, G. F.
Blair, J. Norreys, Sir D. J.
Bridgeman, H. Pakington, J. S.
Briscoe, J. I. Palmer, G.
Broadley, H. Palmerston, Viscount
Dalmeny, Lord Parker, J.
Dick, Q. Parnell, rt. hn. Sir H
Ferguson, Sir R. A. Phillpotts, J.
Freshfield, J. W. Pigot, D. R.
Greenaway, C. Richards, R.
Grey, rt. hon. Sir G. Russell, Lord J.
Grimsditch, T. Russell, Lord C.
Hamilton, Lord C. Scrope, G. P.
Handley, H. Sheil, rt. hon. R. L.
Hill, Lord A. M. C. Thompson, Ald.
Hobhouse, T. B. Tuffnell, H.
Hodges, T. L. Turner, E.
Hoskins, K. Vere, Sir C. B.
Howard, hn. C. W. G. Vernon, G. H.
Humphery, J. Wood, Colonel T.
Kemble, H. TELLERS.
Knight, H. G. Stanley, hon. E. J.
Lockhart, A. M. Smith, R. V.
List of the NOES.
Aglionby, H. A. Vigors, N, A.
Brotherton, J. Warburton, H.
Ellis, W. Wood, B.
Evans, Sir De L.
Ewart, W. TELLERS.
Hindley, C. Hume, J.
Lushington, C. Baines, E.

Bill read a third time and passed.