On 2 May 1774 a bill, popularly known as the Quebec Bill, was introduced into the House of Lords where it passed with little opposition. In the House of Commons the measure was vigorously opposed by a strong minority, but with some amendments was eventually passed, and toward the end of June received the royal assent. By the provisions of the act the boundaries of the province of Quebec were ex tended to include all ancient Canada, including Labrador, and all the territory lying, north of the Ohio and west of the Mississippi. Roman Catholics were released from all penal restric tions; the obligation of the tithe was reimposed in favor of the Church, and all classes, with the exception of the religious orders, were con firmed in the full enjoyment of their proprie tary rights. French law was hereafter to be applied in all civil cases while the law of Eng land was retained for the decision of all crimi nal causes. Both, however, might be modified by ordinances of the governor and legislative council. Inasmuch as it was "inexpedient to call an Assembly" the act provided for the establishment of a legislative council to consist of not less than 17 nor more than 23 members nominated by the Crown. To this body in con junction with the governor was given a limited power of internal administration, including the right to levy internal and local taxes. But Parliament expressly reserved to itself the right of external taxation and every ordinance passed by the council was to be transmitted to England where it might be disallowed if the home au thorities deemed advisable.
In the New England colonies the passage of the Quebec Act was bitterly resented, partly be cause of the privileges which it granted a French and Roman Catholic population but more especially because it placed under the almost complete control of the British authori ties the vast expanse of territory west of the Alleghanies in the conquest of which the sea board colonies had borne a heavy share. In Quebec the French inhabitants, while many re gretted that provision had not been made for the establishment of a popular assembly open to Roman Catholics for the most part wel comed the substantial concessions which the act conveyed. There is little doubt that these con cessions served in some measure to assure the British authorities of at least their neutrality during the turbulent days of the next few years. The British inhabitants of the province, on the other hand, were naturally disappointed but the course of events during the next half-decade was such as to preclude any important mani festation of their feelings. Under the provisions of the Quebec Act the administration of the province was carried on for the ensuing 17 years.
Bibliography.— Coffin, 'The Province of Quebec and the American Revolution' (1896) ; Hart, 'The Quebec Act' (1885) ; Kingsford, 'History of Canada,' passim; Marriot 'Plan of a Code of Laws for the Province of Quebec' (London 1774) ; Maseres, 'Projet des Lois pour Quebec' (Quebec 1770).