Canada under British Rule 1760-1900. John George Bourinot

I devote the first chapter of this short history to a brief review of the colonisation of the valley of the St. Lawrence by the French, and of their political and social conditions at the Conquest, so that a reader may be able to compare their weak and impoverished state under the repressive dominion of France with the prosperous and influential position they eventually attained under the liberal methods of British rule. In the succeeding chapters I have dwelt on those important events which have had the largest influence on the political development of the several provinces as British possessions.

We have, first, the Quebec Act, which gave permanent guarantees for the establishment of the Church of Rome and the maintenance of the language and civil law of France in her old colony. Next, we read of the coming of the United Empire Loyalists, and the consequent establishment of British institutions on a stable basis of loyal devotion to the parent state. Then ensued the war of 1812, to bind the provinces more closely to Great Britain, and create that national spirit which is the natural outcome of patriotic endeavour and individual self-sacrifice. Then followed for several decades a persistent popular struggle for larger political liberty, which was not successful until British statesmen awoke at last from their indifference, on the outbreak of a rebellion in the Canadas, and recognised the necessity of adopting a more liberal policy towards their North American dependencies. The union of the Canadas was succeeded by the concession of responsible government and the complete acknowledgment of the rights of the colonists to manage their provincial affairs without the constant interference of British officials. With this extension of political privileges, the people became still more ambitious, and established a confederation, which has not only had the effect of supplying a remarkable stimulus to their political, social and material development, but has given greater security to British interests on the continent of North America. At particular points of the historical narrative I have dwelt for a space on economic, social, and intellectual conditions, so that the reader may intelligently follow every phase to the development of the people from the close of the French régime to the beginning of the twentieth century In my summary of the most important political events for the last twenty-five years, I have avoided all comment on matters which are "as yet"—to quote the language of the epilogue to Mr. Green's "Short History"—"too near to us to admit of a cool and purely historical treatment." The closing chapter is a short review of the relations between Canada and the United States since the treaty of 1783—so conducive to international disputes concerning boundaries and fishing rights—until the present time, when the Alaskan and other international controversies are demanding adjustment.

I have thought, too, that it would be useful to students of political institutions to give in the appendix comparisons between the leading provisions of the federal systems of the Dominion of Canada and the Commonwealth of Australia. I must add that, in the revision of the historical narrative, I have been much aided by the judicious criticism and apt suggestions of the Editor of the Series, Dr. Prothero.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, OTTAWA, CANADA. 1st October, 1900

      CHAPTER I.

      THE FRENCH RÉGIME (1534—1760)

      Section 1. Introduction

      Section 2. Discovery and Settlement of Canada by France

      Section 3. French exploration in the valleys of North America

      Section 4. End of French Dominion in the valley of the St. Lawrence

      Section 5. Political, Economic, and Social Conditions of Canada during French Rule

      CHAPTER II.

      BEGINNINGS OF BRITISH RULE (1749—1774)

      Section 1. From the Conquest until the Quebec Act

      Section 2. The Foundation of Nova Scotia (1749—1783)

      CHAPTER III.

      THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS (1763—1784)

      Section 1. The successful Revolution of the Thirteen Colonies in America

      Section 2. Canada and Nova Scotia during the Revolution.

      Section 3. The United Empire Loyalists

      CHAPTER IV.

      DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS (1784–1812)

      Section 1. Beginnings of the Provinces of New Brunswick, Lower Canada and Upper Canada.

      Section 2. Twenty years of Political Development. (1792–1812)

      CHAPTER V.

      THE WAR OF 1812–1815

      Section 1. Origin of the war between Great Britain and the United States

      Section 2. Canada during the War

      CHAPTER VI.

      THE EVOLUTION OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT (1815–1839)

      Section 1. The Rebellion in Lower Canada

      Section 2. The Rebellion in Upper Canada

      Section 3. Social and Economic Conditions of the Provinces in 1838

      CHAPTER VII.

      A NEW ERA OF COLONIAL GOVERNMENT (1839–1867)

      Section 1. The Union of the Canadas and the establishment of Responsible Government

      Section 2. Results of Self-government from 1841 to 1864

      CHAPTER
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