part of his official correspondence, such only excepted as may have been expressly declared or manifestly designed, by the secretary of state, to be confidential.

But I am not aware of any other document connected with the public affairs of the province, the concealment of which from the assembly would be really useful or justifiable: especially whatever relates to the revenue and expenditure in all their branches, or to the statistics of the province, should be at once and cheerfully communicated to them. For example, it will be desirable to make to the two houses such a communication of the blue books, or annual statistical returns, which are compiled for the use of this department; and your lordship will solicit the assistance of the two houses of the local legislature, in rendering those returns as accurate and as comprehensive as possible. In short, the general rule must be that of entire freedom from reserve. The particular exception, as it arises, must be vindicated by the terms of the preceding instructions, or by some explanation sufficient to show that secrecy was demanded, not for the protection of any private interest, but for the wellbeing of the province at large. In every case

in which the production of any paper, in answer to any address of either house, may be refused, your lordship will immediately transmit to this office a statement of the case, with an explanation of the grounds of your decision.

12. The occupation as a barrack of the buildings which anciently were part of the Jesuits' college, is strongly reprobated by the assembly. I can only remark that this exception from the general transfer of the Jesuits' estates to their disposal, was made and vindicated by Lord Ripon on a ground which has rather acquired a new force, than lost any of its original weight. After an occupation of those buildings for this purpose, for much more than half a century, there has accrued to the Crown a prescriptive title, of which, however, his Majesty has never sought to avail himself. The King is, on the contrary, anxious that the buildings should be restored, as promptly as possible, to their original use; nor will that measure be delayed for a single day, after other and adequate provision shall have been made for the accommodation of the troops; but it is needless to remark that his Majesty has no funds at his disposal for that purpose. The proposed transfer of all the sources of local revenue to the house of

assembly has deprived the King of the means of providing for this or any similar service. It must rest, therefore, with the house to erect or purchase other barracks sufficiently commodious for the garrison, upon which the board of ordnance will immediately issue the necessary instructions for evacuating the buildings at present occupied for that purpose.

13. The lease of the forges of St. Maurice to Mr. Bell has been made, and is now irrevocable. I do not conceal my regret, that this property was not disposed of by public auction to the highest bidder. Whatever arrangements may be hereafter settled respecting the territorial revenue, it will be necessary to prevent the granting of any crown property on lease in the same manner by private contract, and more especially when the contractor is a member of the legislative council.

14. Impediments are said to have been needlessly raised to the endowment of colleges by benevolent persons. I fear it is not to be denied, that some unnecessary delay in deciding upon bills reserved for his Majesty's consideration, having such endowments for their object, did occur: a delay chiefly attributable to political events and the consequent

changes of the colonial administration in this kingdom. I have no wish to withhold a frank acknowledgment of error, when really due, to the house of assembly, because I am persuaded that in that frankness they will perceive the best assurance of the sincerity with which, on behalf of the ministers of the crown, a pledge is given for the more prompt and exact attention hereafter to every measure which has for its object the institution in the province of any colleges or schools for the advancement of Christian knowledge or sound learning.

15. On the subject of the clergy reserves, of which complaint is still made, the arrangements proposed by Lord Ripon leave his Majesty nothing further to concede. The whole question has been referred to the decision of the provincial legislature. To obviate misconceptions, the draft of a bill for the adjustment of the claims of all parties was framed under his lordship's directions, and brought into the house of assembly. Anticipating the possibility that this bill might undergo amendments in its progress through the two houses, materially affecting its character, Lord Ripon had instructed the governor, in that event, not to refuse his assent, but to reserve the bill for the signification of

his Majesty's pleasure. The loss of the bill is, however, ascribed to the solicitor-general having, in his place in the house, stated that no amendment would be permitted. The solicitor-general's expressions may have been misunderstood; but if this was their purport, not only was the statement unauthorised, but directly at variance with the spirit of the instructions of the home government. I much regret the misapprehension, in whatever cause it may have originated. It may perhaps be ascribed to the fact, that Lord Aylmer did not think himself at liberty to produce to the house the Earl of Ripon's despatches on the subject. Your lordship will immediately communicate copies of them, inviting the council and assembly to resume the consideration of the question, upon the terms of Lord Ripon's proposal, to every part of which they may be assured of his Majesty's continued adherence.

16. Lord Aylmer's refusal to issue a writ for the election of a new member of the assembly, upon the declaration of the house that M. Mondelet's seat had become vacant, is condemned by that body as a violation of their rights. The question has lost much, if not all, of its practical importance since the passing of

Ꭱ