Lord Durham

Wakefield. Is that absolutely necessary? which was sooner I broke up the furniture. How much longer do you think it'll be before he sees us? If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't be doing this. If Lord Durham resigns, if Durham resigns, Mr. Buller. It could be the greatest blow this colony has suffered since his earliest days. If Darham resigns, it could mean the death of every progressive measure that we tried to put into effect since we first arrived. If Darham resigns, Mr. Buller, I should be strongly tempted to walk out of this building and straight into the river. There should be something we could do instead of just sitting here with your leadership. Gentlemen, will he see us now? He has asked me to beg you wait for a while longer. Has he decided yet? He has decided nothing. Lady Dam, I'm sure you're aware of the gravity of his lordship's decision. Please don't consider me impertinent, but if you would speak to him. Are you asking me to persuade Lord Darham to remain on in Canada? Your word would carry a great deal of influence. And you, Mr. Buller, are you also in favor of my interceding with my husband? I agree with Mr. Wakefield, your leadership. If Lord Darham resigns, I see. Gentlemen, I am disappointed in you both. Your leadership, the only you more than any of the others. You have been at his side all these months in Canada. You have seen him so ill he could scarcely stand. You have watched him driving himself to exhaustion in this post. And now today, when he learned he was betrayed by the very men in England who begged him to accept this post. Leadership, we did not gentlemen. If Lord Durham decides to stay on in Canada, I shall do all I can to help him. But I shall not attempt to influence his decision. Good evening, gentlemen. Well, it seems that we shall have to speak to him ourselves. Now, are you prepared to beard the dictator in his den? It's not, Mr. Buller. Lady Darham was right. More than any of the others, we had been in Darham's confidence. Wakefield is the governor's economic adviser. I as chief secretary to the mission. And now the fate of that mission hung in balance. This was certainly the most serious crisis we had faced, but it was by no means the first. The series of crises and decisions began even before we disembarked from the ship which brought us from England to the harbor of Quebec. Beautiful. Very beautiful and peaceful. Beautiful enough, your lordship. But I'm not sure yet how peaceful it is. If it's not, we'll soon make it so. That might not be as simple as we hope. Why not? I find it difficult to forget that 6 months ago, some of the people of this colony were in revolt against the crown. All very true, but that was 6 months ago. Our conditions so different now. The United States is still a threat to these colonies and provides a ready refuge for rebels. Upper Canada in continuing firmament here in Lower Canada. Still a constant conflict between the elected representatives of the people and the executive council. I shall change that this morning. All of it. Shall I would suggest you contain your irony? You're not dealing with some obtuse official in the colonial office. Yes, sir. We shall make a start now. You will write letters worded as tactfully as possible to the incumbent executive council of Lower Canada. You will tell them their services are no longer required. Is that wise, your lord? It is necessary. I have been given absolute powers by the prime minister of England, and I intend to use them. Every report we've read indicates that this executive council is incompetent, oppressive, and even corrupt. I shall dismiss them at once and replace them with my own staff. Now go and carry out my instructions immediately. Yes, your logic. Sir, I'm sorry I spoke harshly. I appreciate your warning. It was more a word of caution, sir. I admit that the present members of the council are heartily disliked by most of the people. Exactly. If the people are to trust me as their governor, they must have an act of faith on my part, something they can see and understand. Then it must be done quickly. Now go and write those letters. Well, my friend, a lot of known important things are taking place in the streets of Quebec, and you keep your nose buried in the paper like an ostrich. What is it that is troubling you today, Louie? Huh? Obviously, you are not watching what is going on in front of your very office. Perhaps it is because editors have more to keep them busy than lawyers. Well, then my friend, you cannot stay blind forever. Come, I will show you. Come. So, is that all you have to say? So, all of yesterday and all of today, his lordship servants have passed through the street carrying his lordship's possession from the ship. So, so again, does his lordship think that we are such savages here that he had to bring everything from England? He even brought his own orchestra. He rides to our city on a white charger like a king. An English king. He intends to rule us in style. This one, listen to this. The Governor General's first proclamation to the people of Canada. I invite from you the most free unreserved communications. I beg you to consider me as a friend and arbitrator ready at all times to listen to your wishes, complaints and grievances and fully determined to act with the strictest [Applause] impartiality. It leaves you speechless. It does not. Let me tell you something. is English. They have a saying that goes, uh, the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. Well, 161 of our people are in prison now because the Afghan raised their hands against the injustice of the English. It is my belief that his lordship will order these men hanged. And it is my belief that you are mad. Maybe, maybe. You may defend his words all you wish. me. I shall wait and see what he does with the prisoners. And now, gentlemen, a matter of great importance and more than some delicacy. A question of what to do with those who played major roles in last year's uprising. You must decide how to deal with these prisoners justly and with dispatch. Colonel Cooper, may I have your opinion? There's no doubt in my mind, sir. These men were rebels. They should be punished. All of them or only the ring leaders? I don't know, sir. It's difficult to say. Indeed, it is. Particularly when some of the most active papino for1 have escaped beyond our reach into the United States. And how should we punish them? By death, continued imprisonment. I should say, sir, that that would depend on evidence presented at their trials. Trials. Do you think any jury in the whole of Lower Canada would convict these men? We could pack the juries except there are enough pro- British on the panel to assure convictions and even then there would be doubts. There are enough loopholes in the present law so that even a packed jury might have to acquit them. I favor drafting a law to cover exost facto the crimes the rebels have committed and then applying it to them. In that way we will be certain of a conviction. We'd also be certain of the undying hatred of the people. Do you think they would love us anymore if we follow your idea of pecking the jury? Do you think that an issue? Gentlemen, I can see that we entertain some singular differences of opinion. Therefore, I shall assume the prerogative of the dictator and express my feeling in the matter. My study of the records has led me to believe that of the 161 persons presently confined, only eight can be considered dangerous to the general welfare. It is my opinion that we should free all but these eight and that these eight should be banished for life to the colony of Bermuda. Lord Dar, I perceive Mr. Wakefield that my suggestion does not meet with your overwhelming approval. I consider it a bold and humane judgment, sir. Has the added advantage of avoiding bloodshed, which is always to be desired. But it could cause repercussions in England. On what basis? It could provoke the charge that you are acting in a high-handed fashion and exceeding your authority. Are you not aware that I have been given unlimited authority to govern this colony? I'm aware of that, sir. Before I left England, I had the assurance of the prime minister, Lord Melbourne, and the colonial secretary, Lord Glenn Elg, that they would support me completely in any measures I saw fit to take. I do not believe in dealing gently with treason. On the other hand, I cannot see the wisdom of exposing her majesty's authority to ridicule an increasing enmity through a series of trials that can only prove to be a mockery of justice. This is my decision. You, Mr. Buller, will draft it into an ordinance. The eight leaders shall be banished. The other prisoners shall be freed. [Music] Response in Lower Canada to Durham's ordinance concerning the former rebels was immediate and enthusiastic. Most of the population, even those who had been skeptical of the governor at first, heartily approved the leniency and humanity of the measure. Darham had no time to enjoy his initial success and worked ceaselessly despite recurrent illness. He suffered from excruciating headaches in addition to the chest weakness which made him subject to violent fevers. Nevertheless, he drove himself ruthlessly. It was almost as if he knew time was running out. In July, he began his tour of Upper Canada. He had received ominous reports describing the sirly spirit of rebellion present there. So it was with some uncertainty that Lord and Lady Darham prepared to face the populace of Toronto. Three cheers for Radical Jack. Hip hip hooray. Hip hip hooray. Hip hip hooray. Has the pain eased? Not very much. It was too strenuous. First Niagara and all the meetings there, then more meetings here in Toronto addressing that enormous crowd. That was very gratifying, wasn't it, Louisa? The reception they gave us. Very gratifying indeed. And you are very ill. You must promise me that you will rest at least until tomorrow. I wish I could, but there are so many things to do. Papers, reports. They will wait. How often I cursed these infernal pains in my head? Why must they always strike just when I need my strength the most? You show too much strength I sometimes believe. No, my dear, you were wrong. It is not strength that drives me on, but the kind of weakness that is terrified of failure. If I cannot complete the work I have begun, you will accomplish everything you wish. I am sure of it. And now you will rest. Buller and Wakefield made a mistake. It is you they should have named the dictator. Then obey me. Have I a choice? Come in. You are not to do any more work today. Whatever it is, I positively forbid it. What is it, Cooper? Dr. William Baldwin and Mr. Robert Baldwin, sir. They say they have an appointment. And so they have. I had forgotten. Send them away, please. Show them in. [Applause] You're angry with me. That is the first time I have ever heard you make an obvious statement, my dear. Yes. Be a good girl and help me on with my jacket. Thank you. This is a pleasure, gentlemen. For us, your lordship, it is an honor. We have been greatly heartened by accounts we have heard of your accomplishments. In little more than two months in Canada, you have pressed for much needed changes in our land laws, taken steps to improve educational facilities. Dr. Baldwin, I am sure you and your son have not come here merely to flatter me. No, sir, we have not, and I respect your bluntness. My son and I are known in the land as reformers. We must also be blunt. I can tell you, Lord Durham, the purpose of our visit in two words: responsible government. I have already written at some length on this subject to the colonial secretary, but so far I have received no reply. Go on. The situation in Upper Canada has been intolerable for some time. The group in power, which you will have heard of as the family compact, is rich and influential. They have little regard for the people. They maintain their control through an executive council, which pursues its own course, paying no attention whatsoever to the voice of their elected representatives. and there is no way of removing these despots from office. You are aware that I am not vested with the same powers here that I possess in Lower Canada. I have no authority to remove your executive council. This is not what we ask, sir. We simply request that a policy be established whereby the executive is responsible for its actions to the body elected by the people. You are supposing that the people know what they want. I have dedicated my whole life to that belief. Sir, you will appreciate your lordship that our proposal is not a radical one. It requires no change in our constitution. All we ask is the right enjoyed by the people of England, the right to remove an unpopular government by parliamentary means. This is a new country, Mr. Baldwin, and without meaning offense, I must remind you that it is still a colony. How can we be sure that the people themselves are responsible? This much I know that under the present system whereby the executive is allowed to ignore the wishes of the people, discontent is rife. Sooner or later, there will again be violence in the land. But if the people are given a true voice in their own affairs, I feel confident they will use it to reaffirm and strengthen their ties with the mother country. What you have said impresses me, gentlemen. Then you will urge the Colonial Office to adopt softly, Dr. Baldwin, softly. I will make you no promises. You are hasty, far too hasty even for me, and I have been known to act quickly. But you have my assurance that I shall give this matter my deepest consideration. [Music] The summer passed quickly in Quebec. Occasionally there was even an hour or two for relaxation, but on the whole moments of leisure were all too rare. Wakefield and I were kept busy dealing with the problems and grievances of the many delegations which presented themselves in Quebec City. Everything was going ahead beautifully. We were all cheered by the progress Durham was making towards establishing sound government in Canada. Thus, none of us was prepared for the event which took place on that warm and peaceful afternoon in September. I hope I didn't disturb you. I knew you had no one with you and these flowers are so lovely that I thought Colonel Cooper told me that the steamer had arrived from Montreal with the post. I Prime Minister has sent me a letter. Read it. Read it. I am very happy to hear that you have settled the very difficult affair of the prisoners and settled it so well. Here, read this one from Glenn Elgen. Note particularly, my dear, that the colonial secretary also says, "I have solved a difficult problem most aly and instructs me, go on and prosper." Go on and prosper. But they're very happy with what you have done. I don't understand why. Why? I'd like to see that liy liver Melbourne hung up by his treacherous thumbs. That's for that precious little flunky of his Glenn Elg. This is the reason. This newspaper from New York. It's dated only 10 days after those letters from England contains a summary of certain proceedings in Parliament. It seems that my ordinance on the prisoners came under attack, and Melbourne, who assured me so piously of his undying support, immediately tucked his tail between his legs and ran from the fight, followed, of course, by Glenn Elg howling like some frightened puppy. Then your ordinance is disallowed. Now void rejected. They send me to Canada with a great show of confidence and instruct me to sue the restless country. And at the first sign of opposition, they desert me. They have neither the courage nor the courtesy to inform me of this direct. No, I must read about it in some foreign newspaper. All my work, all the hopes I had of progress here have been stutled by a pair of cowardly doubledeing. Thank you, my dear. I should be all right, Louisa. What can I say to the people of Canada? They have begun to trust me. What can I say to them now? So it was the evening of that fateful afternoon that Wakefield and I waited in the anti- room for a decision that was sure to have a profound effect on the future of Canada. Oh, you told him the ordinance would have repercussions in England. That was an empty triumph. I also called the ordinance a bold and humane judgment. I still believe it was. How parliament with little or no knowledge of conditions here could dare to revoke on a technicality. on a technicality by saying Durham had no right to exile prisoners to Bermuda, which of course he hasn't technically, but Darham's ordinance compared with the act of indemnity they passed in its place. An act which is neither fish nor foul which dash neither punishes nor pardons the rebel leaders leaves things in exactly the same unsettled state. I'm sure by now the news has spread through the city. In 2 or 3 days, all of Lower Canada will know about it. There may be trouble. I may indeed better not to have sent Darham here at all than let him make a start towards good government and then countermand his authority. Trouble is on the doorstep. You can be sure of that. If he resigns, must you keep on saying that? He will not resign. We shall have to convince him. Gentlemen, I have come to a decision. It is very kind of you to have waited all these hours. I shall not keep you in suspense. It is my intention to resign. Your lordship? Your lordship? You cannot resign. Cannot, Mr. Wakefield. Why me, sir? Your work here has only just begun. People have confidence in you. Confidence? Yes, that is true. People have begun to develop a confidence in England through me. Now I have failed them. That is not true, sir. I admit the disallowance of the ordinance is a blow, but that is not the end of the struggle. Surely it is only a matter of time. You did not hear me, Mr. Wakefield. I am resigning. I shall return to England as quickly as possible. But your lordship, Wakefield, his lordship has made the only possible decision in the circumstances. Are you mad? After all the hours you and I have spent discussing the consequences, it was earlier in the evening. It was only a few moments ago that we both agreed. Will you force me to discuss the matter in front of his lordship? That is exactly what I shall do. I cannot understand how you can hold an opinion one moment and reverse it the next. And we both know that we both know his lordship's health has been strained to the breaking point. Can you not see this matter of the ordinance has exhausted him? Would you have him go on at the risk of ruining? I appreciate your concern, but the state of my health has nothing to do with my decision to resign. Then, sir, will you allow me to present my Wakefield? Have you no understanding? I only understand that the situation is. Gentlemen, if you will do me the courtesy of listening to me instead of railing at each other. The home government gave me unlimited authority, then withdrew it at the first rumble of opposition. Even if they restore my powers, they may snatch them away at the next crisis. I've become fond of this country, very much concerned with its future. Lord Darham, I don't wish to appear tedious, but in view of your expressed fondness for this country, if you remain here, if I remain here, I shall become a figurehead, acting at the whim of Melbourne and Glenn Elg. There is complete ignorance in England about the affairs in Canada. If I return, I shall be in a position to combat this ignorance. I shall need your assistance there, gentlemen, just as I have depended on it here. You shall have all the help I can give you, sir. Thank you. Mr. Wakefield, may I also count on you? Or are you still too angry with me? Even if I were your lordship, I should find it difficult to remain so I shall consider that a compliment. And now, gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I should like to be alone. It has not been easy for me to accept the evidence of my failure here. But since I have already swallowed it, I must take time now to digest it. [Music] The populace of Canada mourned Durham's departure. Their sharp regret at his leaving was soon to take a more violent turn with the flaring up of a new revolt in Lower Canada. Durham himself was to die less than two years later, worn out from his labors. The mission which had begun with such promise seemed to be ending in defeat. But the Darham regime in Canada, though it lasted only 5 months, was not to be forgotten. The report Lord Darham drafted after his return to England was to influence colonial policy profoundly and provide the basis for a united, self-governing Canada. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music]