Читать книгу Documents Relating to the Constitutional History of Canada 1759-1791, Part I - Adam Shortt - Страница 132

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1^st The Canadians are very ignorant and extremely tenacious of their Religion, nothing can contribute so much to make them staunch subjects to his Majesty as the new Government giving them every reason to imagine no alteration is to be attempted in that point.

2...Care was taken under the former Government to keep up a great part of the Clergy French, especially the dignified part: To prevent the further importation of these, it would be necessary to encourage the natives to engage in the profession, which cannot be so well done, except the See is filled up, as without a Bishop there can be no ordination: some difficulty will attend this, as it is unendow'd tho' hereafter means may be found of making up this deficiency.

3^d...A like difficulty occurs in relation to the Chapter, their number indeed might be reduced by letting the vacancies lye dormant, if some provision cannot be made for them as will hereafter be proposed.

4^th...An expedient to assist the people in rebuilding their great Church, would much ingratiate their new Masters with them.

5^th...The Jesuites are neither loved nor esteemed in general, and this order may be easily removed whenever the Government shall think proper without giving offence, out of part of their Estate provision might be made for the Bishoprick, and Chapter which would ease the Crown of further expences on that head.

6^th The Recollets is an order of Mendicants, as they depend upon charity for subsistence, they are careful not to give offence; probably should they find the Inhabitants upon the present change, cool towards their Order, they will of themselves seek a better living somewhere else.

7^th The Seminary educates the Youth, and fits them for Orders, it will be necessary to preserve and encourage this House on that account, and it is to be observed, this was the only Religious House or order, that heretofore did not participate of the French King's Bounty.

8^th As to the communities of Women they are much esteemed and respected by the People, the narrowness of their circumstances will probably prevent their being filled up so easily as in former times; when the Canadians become a little more reconciled to British customs and Government, it may not be amiss under colour of serving those communities in their distressed situation, to restrict the admission of any under a certain sum; this regulation with another fixing a certain age, under which no vows to be taken, would probably soon reform the worst abuses of such institutions.

9^th...There are some few French Protestants in this Country who no doubt will be willing to remain, it would be a great comfort to these, if a Church was granted for their use, and some French Clergyman of sound sense and good Character, with a tolerable salary, was invited to settle among them, such an establishment may be attended with the further good consequences of enticing many of their Brethren in France, to come and enjoy that religious liberty, after which they so ardently sigh, amidst a people sprung from the same origin, speaking the same language, and following the same Customs. It may likewise be conducive towards bringing about a Reformation, by slow degrees and must at least prove to the Canadians there is nothing in our Holy Religion repugnant to Virtue or Morality.