1799] NEWS OF THE VICTORY OF THE NILE.

473

whole conduct, and claimed the right to his services when occasion demanded.

One of his first duties was the settlement of the land question. In August, 1800, he wrote that the examination of the petitions had been made and the applications reported upon. Thus, the most difficult and laborious part of the examination was brought to a close. It had not been possible to satisfy every petitioner, but the proceedings submitted to him had been marked by strict integrity. As there was no further public expression of dissatisfaction, this statement may be accepted as the termination of the dispute.

One of the parties prominent in this unpleasant matter was shortly afterwards involved in difficulty. Finlay, the postmaster general, being behindhand in his payments to the imperial government to the extent of £1,500, was unable to meet his indebtedness. From what appears in the correspondence, it may be inferred that he had with the government money entered largely into land speculations. He was accordingly removed from his position, and in August, 1802, Heriot was appointed to succeed him.*

News having reached Canada of Nelson's victory of the Nile, on the 1st of August, 1799, in which admiral Bruey's flagship "L'Orient" was blown up and nine of thirteen ships of the line were destroyed or captured, a public day of thanksgiving was named. The Roman catholic bishop, Denaut, issued a mandement that a solemn mass on the 10th of January should be performed and a te Deum chanted.†

Steps were also taken to procure voluntary subscriptions to

* Heriot is remembered by his "Travels through Canada, &c., &c.," published in 1807, which contained a map and many illustrations, and still remains of value. The geographical descriptions in the second part will always be read with interest.

+ The following passage can to-day be profitably read: "Messieurs les curés ne manqueront pas de prendre occasion de cette fête pour faire sentir vivement a leurs paroissiens les obligations qu'ils ont au ciel de les avoir mis sous l'empire et la protection de sa Majesté Britannique et les exhorter tout de nouveau à s'y maintenir avec fidelité et reconnaissance." [Mandements, Vol. II., p. 517.]

carry on the war. In June, 1798, some members of the house of assembly, then in session, formed the view that it was desirable that a vote of the house should be obtained for the sum of £20,000, as a contribution from Lower Canada ; the money to be raised by a special duty on imports or by some other tax. The most prominent in the movement were Sewell, the attorney general, Young and Grant, of the executive council. It was proposed that the gift should be accompanied by an address, setting forth the attachment of the inhabitants to the form of government and the determination to defend it. On consulting with several of the members, the proposition seemed feasible, and it was agreed that the attorney general should submit the proposition to Prescott. The governor, however, declined the offer, stating that he did not think it expedient to encourage the proposal. No reasons were assigned by him. It is probable, however, that he by no means felt assured that opposition would not be experienced: a consequence which would seriously have affected the character of the gift.

Although the course suggested in this instance was not accepted, it was determined to carry out the principle in another form. In May, 1799, a meeting was held at Dillon's tavern, Quebec, to open a public subscription in aid of carrying on the war. The example was followed at Montreal, Three Rivers and Sorel. The subscription lists were kept open during the year 1800, money being sent home from time to time, as it was collected. The total amount received was £8,382 9s. 51⁄2d. ($33,529.89). There were 321 names. The subscriptions of Three Rivers, Sorel and Saint Geneviève are given in bulk. Of this number ninety-four engaged to give yearly contributions during the war. There were about 123 parishes; thirty-seven of the cures were contributors to the fund.*

In 1799 steps were taken for building the cathedral of Quebec. Owing to the earnest representations by bishop

*The lists are given, Can. Arch., Q. 83, p. 154 and Q. 87.2, p. 422. The subscriptions are thus set forth :

1799]

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CATHEDRAL.

475 Mountain of the depressed condition of the church in Canada, the duke of Portland wrote to Milnes that he recognised the necessity of erecting a metropolitan church, and authorised the appropriation of the site of the late Recollet church for the purpose and the annual expenditure of £400. A com

I venture to preserve some of the names, from the liberality of the subscriptions, and owing to the modern interest they still possess, the descendants of several of the donors being still known. Many could be added if space permitted.

mission was appointed on the 11th of November to carry out this intention. It consisted of the bishop and the Rev. Salter Mountain, representing the clergy, and chief justice Osgoode and sir G. Pownall, on the part of the laity. The colonial secretary had expressed his belief that private

1800]

EXPULSION OF BOUC.

477

subscriptions would be contributed. Milnes wrote that no such result could be hoped for and, with the allowance granted, it would take twelve years to complete the edifice. An increased expenditure was therefore authorised, and the cathedral was completed for consecration in 1804. The total cost of the edifice was about $80,000.

In 1802, the commissioners petitioned that the practice hitherto observed on the erection of a church in the old provinces should be followed in this case: the presentation by the king of the communion-plate, altar-cloth and bible, and books of common prayer for the governor, lieutenantgovernor, the members of the privy council and for the pulpit. A reply was received that the king had complied with the request and the treasury had been desired to carry out the royal instructions. It seems difficult of belief that seven years were to elapse before the plate was delivered. The order was given in 1802 to the well known silversmiths, Rundell & Bridge, and in 1803 the chalices had been made. The plate was delivered in Quebec only on the 2nd of • November, 1809. No explanation was ever given for this astounding delay, for which the colonial office was responsible.

In 1802, on the application of the congregation of the Scotch church, a site was granted within the walls on the land that had formerly been a part of the jesuit college grounds. A similar concession was made to the congrégation de Notre Dame on the petition of Mgr. Plessis.

A case of the expulsion of a member took place in 1800; one Charles Baptiste Bouc, the member for Effingham, had been convicted in Montreal of conspiring to obtain money under false pretences and sentenced to imprisonment and fine. The case was brought before the house, and after consideration of the facts Bouc was expelled. On a new writ being issued, the solicitor-general offered himself as a candidate. The curé, however, took an active part in the election, and so exerted himself in favour of Bouc that the expelled man was again returned. The cure on the occasion actually performed high mass in the parish church,