high estimation of his conduct in the administration of affairs."* Christie does not enter into the merit of the dispute, as when he wrote interest in it had passed away. He simply tells us that Prescott "had experienced some misunderstandings with his executive council relative to the disposal of the crown lands, in which it has been generally believed that those gentlemen were not altogether personally disinterested, and which it is said occasioned his recall. He was universally deemed an upright and honourable man, much respected by all classes and popular as a governor."

While Milnes, four days after his arrival, had stated that no unpleasantness had taken place with Prescott, Hunter, a month later, in a private letter to King, the under secretary, the day before Prescott's departure, wrote that he had not previously known Prescott, but if he was to judge of him from his behaviour since his arrival, particularly his conduct to Milnes, he would not hesitate a moment to pronounce him mad. +

Some light may be thrown upon Hunter's statement by the letter of Prescott to Portland, written in July, that he had sent written instructions to Milnes with a schedule of documents. These had been returned by Milnes unopened.

* Christie's History, Vol. I., p. 203. The first volume of this history was published in 1848, within half a century of the events narrated. Robert Christie was born at Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1788, so he was eleven years old when these events happened. Changing his residence to Gaspé, he was elected member for that county in 1827. For many years he lived in close intimacy wirh the men prominent in political life at Quebec. The opinion he has expressed may be accepted as that which was current in the circles in which he moved, and in my humble judgment cannot be rejected.

[Can. Arch., Q. 286.2, p. 494, 24th of July, 1799.]

I do not attach any weight to this remark of Hunter. There are not many recollections of him, but those of his sayings which have been preserved suggest that he indulged in such hyperbole. Thus, he wrote privately to King [Q. 286.2, p. 424, 27th of October, 1799] that "Russell, had it depended upon him, would have granted lands to the Devil and all his family, provided they could have paid the fees." Dr. Scadding, in his "Toronto of Old," pp. 478-480, gives some instances of his abrupt manner. It is, however, possible, from the two being general officers, that Prescott may have spoken to Hunter unreservedly, and have acted in some respects in his presence without proper self-restraint.

1799]

PRESCOTT'S POSITION.

469

Copies of these papers Prescott sent to Portland, stating his intention to leave with Milnes all the public papers, together with the documents he had returned, On his part, Milnes wrote to London, explaining that he had declined to take the question of the land grants into consideration on the governor's statement, or to give any opinion regarding it. One fact is plain, that the despatches of Prescott to Portland evince considerable ability; and that they were written by himself unaided, we have his own declaration.

Prescott arrived at Deal on the 15th of September. Hist first demand was for an investigation of his conduct.

He expressed his readiness There is no record to shew

We again hear of him in August, 1801, when he addressed lord Pelham, enclosing a copy of his letter of November, 1799, to the duke of Portland, stating that the investigation he had asked for had not been held, and he renewed the request that it should be made. to return to his government.* that any proceedings were taken. For the following six years Prescott remained in the undisturbed possession of his allowance, £2,000 a year, until the end of August, 1807. On the 6th of that month lord Castlereagh wrote that it was the intention to send an officer to succeed him in his government, and he trusted that he would see in its true light the necessity of an arrangement which would interfere with his emoluments. +

[Can. Arch., Q. 87.1, p. 167, 2nd of August, 1801.] † [Q. 104, p. 147, 5th of August, 1807.]

CHAPTER III.

Milnes took the oath of office immediately after his arrival on the 15th of September, but, as lieutenant-governor, he did not assume the duties of office until the departure of Prescott, which did not take place until the 25th of July. On the previous day Prescott officially sent to London the minutes of the council. Ryland, who, as secretary to Prescott, had resigned his office, accompanied Milnes to Quebec, resuming his position. He was a man of ability and possessed energy even to restlessness, but his prejudices were extreme, so that they interfered with his usefulness. He obtained prominence during the government of sir James Craig; and even at this earlier date took an active part in politics. The biographies of Ryland represent that he was born in Northamptonshire. In In 1781, when but twenty-one, he was sent to New York in the paymaster's branch of the army. He was attached to Cornwallis' command and was present at the surrender at Yorktown. Ryland's ability attracted the notice of lord Dorchester, who became his patron, and in 1786 he accompanied Dorchester as private secretary to Canada. The correspondence of the day shews the influence he obtained, which modern criticism cannot accept as wisely exercised.

We learn from Milnes that it was by Ryland's suggestions he applied for "some compensating rank,"* as he had none in the army; that where etiquette prevailed there was necessity for some official distinction, either the red ribbon or that of the baronetage.

As has been stated, the baronetage was conferred in 1801. Another point he brought to the notice of the home government was the insufficiency of his pay and allowance. *Can. Arch., Q. 82, p. 284, 17th of June, 1799.]

1799]

*

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

471

Although the cost of living had been much less in his day, lord Dorchester had expended £5,000 a year without undue extravagance; and sir Alured Clarke had been compelled to expend £300 of his private income to sustain himself in his position. Milnes pointed out to the duke of Portland the necessity, on the part of the governor, to keep up an establishment, and that it was by the exercise of hospitality he should endeavour to create good and kindly feelings, as far as it was possible to do so between political opponents. It is a theory not to be lost sight of in modern times. There should, at least, be one spot where party rancour will be perfectly dormant, where, to speak plainly, the standard of good manners and high-bred self-restraint may be maintained, and the courtesies of life be met in their most pleasing aspect.: where there is a truce to selfishness and political intrigue, and social amenities are enlisted to bring into companionship men who would otherwise never meet. No governor-general in Canada would be favourably looked upon if he made a purse out of his honorarium; but certainly it is the height of folly to suppose that he is called upon to expend his private fortune in the interest of the dominion. If the governor-general is to-day expected to perform his duty worthily, in the face of the five millions whose fortunes he has to safeguard, he must be treated in no petty, beggarly spirit. It would be an unworthy act on the part of the dominion to impose a niggardly limitation on the generous and efficient performance of the duties and obligations of his office. Any such unwise retrenchment is poor economy. No one can desire to see the toleration of waste and reckless expenditure on the part of the dominion. It is, however, politic and right, that a just and fair consideration should be given to the manifold exactions of the governor-general's position, and that it should be acted upon liberally.

It was the view taken by the imperial government, for

*[Can. Arch., Q. 83, p. 211, 10th of Sept., 1799.]

in January, 1800, Portland informed Milnes that his salary would be £4,000 from all sources.

Mr. Christie has preserved the amount of official emoluments of the time. The legislative councillors had an allowance of £100 sterling. Mr. Ryland received £400 as clerk of the council and £200 as secretary to the governor, his income being considerably augmented by fees. The chief justice of the province, £1,200 sterling, nearly $6,000, which remains the amount in modern times. The chief justice of Montreal, £900; the puisne judges, £500; the judge at Three Rivers, £300; at Gaspé, £200; the judge of vice-admiralty, £200; the secretary and treasurer, £4co; the attorney-general, £300 and fees; solicitor-general, £200 and fees; receiver-general, £400; inspector-general of accounts, £365; surveyor-general of lands, £300; surveyor-general of works, £200; French translator, £200. The fees received by several of these offices were considerable in amount. The office of grand voyer of the province, a sinecure, was held by M. Charles de Lanaudière. The pay was £500. The last named amounts, I understand, to be given in currency.

From what we can learn of sir Robert Shore Milnes, he was the son of a magistrate and deputy lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and was born in 1746. He entered the "Blues," and after some years' service retired from the regiment. Subsequently, he was appointed governor of the island of Martinique and gained credit by the skill with which he conducted the finance of the island. He had resigned his appointment owing to ill-health, and it was from his successful administration of this government that he was nominated to Canada.

In applying for leave in 1803 he enclosed a letter received in 1795, when governor of Martinique, from Portland, in which the duke hopes he will not endanger his life by continuing in a climate so injurious to him. The letter expressed the entire satisfaction of the king and ministers with his [Can. Arch., Q. 84, p. 1.] + [History, Vol. I., p. 201.]