Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/304

 290 History of the Radical Party in Parliament. [1837- elective. The Radicals strongly opposed these resolutions, and Leader moved an amendment, which was supported by Roebuck, that the legislative council ought to be made elective. The amendment was lost by 318 to 56. Without hope of having their rights conceded, the colonists plunged into actual rebellion, which was, however, speedily suppressed. It was whilst the news of the rebellion was being received in England that the adjournment took place. When Parliament met on the i6th of January, 1838, Russell announced that Lord Durham was to be sent out to Canada, and explained the bill by which his powers and duties were to be regulated. This measure relieved the colonists from many of the practical grievances under which they had suffered, but still refused their main request for a representative government. To this the Radicals again objected, but in vain, an amendment moved by Leader for delay being defeated by 188 to 28. Durham went out with full powers, and his use of them tended to the rapid pacification of the provinces. In one respect, however, he exceeded his technical authority. He banished some of the leaders of the late rebellion to Bermuda, a colony clearly beyond his jurisdiction. The error was not really material, because he had power to send the rebels out of Canada, but it was seized hold of by the opposition, and by Brougham, the bitter personal enemy of Durham. The ministers at first supported their governor ; but, cowed by the attacks made upon them, they on the loth of August announced that they had dis- allowed the ordinance and accepted a bill of indemnity, which Brougham had introduced. This desertion of Durham, whilst it destroyed his prestige in Canada, broke his spirit, and he immediately resigned and returned home. His last service to his country was the preparation of a scheme for the future administration of Canada, which contained all the principles which have guided to such success the subsequent government of the Dominion. Radicalism has done no greater service to the kingdom than the vindication of the right of self-govern- ment in 'our colonies, and this was formulated in the report