In process of time, after this rather questionable start, the
association waited on me with a memorial requesting the co-operation
of Government, M. Papineau being one of the deputation.

In dealing with them I had two courses to choose from. I had nothing
for it, situated as I was, but either, on the one hand, to give the
promoters of the scheme a cold shoulder, point out its objectionable
features, and dwell upon difficulties of execution--in which case (use
what tact I might) I should have dismissed the bishop and his friends
discontented, and given M. Papineau an opportunity of asserting that I
had lent a quasi sanction to his calumnies; or, on the other, to
identify myself with the movement, put myself in so far as might be at
its head, impart to it as salutary a direction as possible, and thus
wrest from M. Papineau's hands a potent instrument of agitation.

I was tempted, I confess, to prefer the latter of these courses, not
only by reason of its manifest expediency as bearing upon present
political contests, but also because I sympathise, to a considerable
extent, with the views of the promoters of the movement. No one
object, in my opinion, is so important, whether you seek to retain
Canada as a colony, or to fit her for independence and make her
instinct with national life and vigour, as the filling up of her
vacant lands with a resident agricultural population. More especially
is it of moment that the inhabitants of French origin should feel that
every facility for settling on the land of their fathers is given them
with the cordial assent and concurrence of the British Government and
its representative, and that in the plans of settlement their feelings
and habits are consulted. The sentiment of French Canadian
nationality, which Papineau endeavours to pervert to purposes of