Page:Letter from L. J. Papineau and J. Neilson, Esqs., Addressed to His Majesty's Under Secretary of State on the Subject of the Proposed Union of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.djvu/84

 Union Bill in its present shape will not pass your Honourable House, and as in duty bound will ever pray.

Glengarry,

December 24th, 1822.

Address of the Legislative Council of Upper Canada
The Legislative Council have agreed on a dutiful and humble Address to His Most Gracious Majesty the King on the proposed change of the Constitution given to the Inhabitants of this Province, at this time under the consideration of the Imperial Parliament.

Enjoying every blessing which can be expected from the active operation of this free and happy Constitution, Your Excellency will perceive that the Legislative Council do not feel themselves called upon to pronounce any opinion on the contemplated change, concerning the general policy of which they are unable to decide.

They have seen the Province gradually changing from a dreary wilderness to a fruitful and populous country under former Administrations; but since Your Excellency's appointment to the Government, the progress of improvement has been vastly more rapid. The settlements have widely extended on every side, and in the short space of four years the organized parts of the Province have been nearly doubled, and the population greatly increased.

With such facts before them, the Legislative Council, as becomes faithful and loyal subjects, content themselves with expressing, in their dutiful and humble address to His Majesty which they most respectfully entreat Your Excellency to transmit to be laid at the foot of the throne, their perfect reliance on the wisdom and justice of the Imperial Parliament.

(Signed) WM. DUMMER POWELL, Speaker.

Legislative Council Chamber,

March 1st, 1823.