8. CONFEDERATION. In 1837 there took place two rebellions: one in Upper and British the other in Lower and French, Can ada, simultaneous, but almost unconnected, and scarcely united in sympathy, since the Brit ish Protestants of the upper province were by no means fraternally linked with the French of the lower. In Upper Canada the rebellion was a rising of a democratic party, including many of the most recent colonists and some from the United States, against the personal rule of the imperial governor and the domination of a po litical circle nicknamed the Family Compact, and consisting largely of U. E. Loyalists, which monopolized public offices and emoluments. Its leader was Lyon Mackenzie, a man honest and right in his main aim, if responsible govern ment is right, but wanting in wisdom and capacity as a leader. The object of the extreme wing was an independent republic or annexa tion to the United States. That of the less extreme wing was responsible government on the British model. The political crisis and the outbreak of civil war were brought on by the indiscretion of an inexperienced governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, who (1836-38) threw him self into the arms of the Family Compact and the Tory party. In Lower Canada the rebellion was a rising of the French, the conquered race, who formed the great majority, against the monopoly of office and power by the British and conquering race, exercised largely through a council appointed by the imperial governor. Its object was the assertion of French equality and right. It had been preceded by a series of angry controversies between the French patriots and the governor with his British councillors and the Colonial Office at their back. Both rebellions were quelled (1838) with ease and without much bloodshed; that in Upper Canada by the loyal militia, that in Lower Canada by the Queen's troops. There were few executions, but some of the leading insurgents were driven into exile. The consti tution of Lower Canada was suspended, but that of Upper Canada was not.
The Liberal party in the mother country was now in the ascendant, having carried Par liamentary reform. It looked with sympathy on
the struggle of the Canadians for free institu tions. Lord Durham (q.v.), son-in-law of the Whig Prime Minister, Earl Grey, and though an aristocrat a strong Liberal, was sent out (1838) to study' the situation. In a report of remarkable ability, which has been regarded al most as the gospel of colonial liberty, he de cided in favor of extending to Canada respon sible government on the British model, requiring the governor., instead of ruling per sonally, to be guided, like the British sovereign, by the advice of responsible ministers, who were to be designated by the choice of the People. The report at the same time recom mended the reunion of the two provinces, a measure the sure result of which its author imagined to be the complete ascendency of the more powerful race, the destined heir, in his opinion, of the whole North American con tinent.
Durham, having exceeded the limits of his power, and incurred censure by condemning some ex-rebels to banishment of his own au thority, his mission was cut short (1838) but his main recommendations were carried into effect (1839). The provinces were reunited, the measure being carried in the lower prov ince, the constitution of which had been sus pended by the fiat of the Crown; in the upper province, after some debate, by a vote of Par liament. Responsible government was intro duced. The ,governor was instructed thence forth to be guided, like the British sovereign, by the advice of his ministers, who were to be responsible to the people.
In a dispatch from Lord John Russell (q.v.) (5 Feb. 1841) the governor-general was in structed to call to his councils °those persons who, by their position and character, have obtained the general confidence and esteem of the inhabitants of the province," and "only to oppose the wishes of the Assembly when the honor of the Crown or the•nterest of the empire is deeply concerned." There soon followed a general amnesty, wih return of exiles, and Lyon Mackenzie sat in Parliament under the new regime.