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On July 23, 1840, the Union Bill became law, and Thomson, who, in recognition of his most distinguished services, had been created Baron Sydenham, declared February 10, 1841, as the date on which the union should have effect. The actual consummation of the union still demanded the determination of many important issues. The selection of a capital was arousing lively interest. Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto were rival claimants. Quebec and Toronto were ruled out on account of their distance from the centre of the province. Ottawa was unable to provide proper accommodation for the government establishment, and the choice was confined to Kingston and Montreal. From the standpoint of defence—which was then a most important consideration—Kingston was considered to possess a distinct advantage. Likewise for political reasons Kingston was considered more suitable. Montreal had been known as the centre of sedition for many years, and there was no desire to expose an innocent legislature to such dangerous infection. The united province was to be British in character, and a salutary effect was anticipated from the intercourse of the French and English members of the assembly in the healthier social atmosphere of a British community.

CHARLES POULETT THOMSON (LORD SYDENHAM)

From a painting in the Château de Ramezay

The government of the united province, according to the Act of Union, consisted of a governor, a legislative council composed of not fewer than twenty members appointed by the crown and a legislative assembly elected in equal numbers by each province. English was made the official language of all legislative records. The revenues within the control of the two legislatures were combined in a consolidated revenue fund, which was made liable for a permanent annual allowance of £75,000 for certain specified salaries. In return for this civil list the crown surrendered control of the hereditary and territorial revenues. The Act of Union, therefore, embodied a settlement of outstanding issues which for a quarter of a century had spread dissension throughout the Canadian provinces. It promised to clear the slate of Canadian grievances and to permit Sydenham to introduce the system of responsible government unhampered by the fetters of previous misgovernment.

Colonial autonomy, supported by the guarantee of responsible government, was the practical solution of the crisis of 1837. Sydenham was pledged to the introduction of a system not of complete self-government but of such a form of self-government as would in time render colonial autonomy inevitable. It was wise that self-government should be introduced gradually and Sydenham’s system guaranteed safety. As a preliminary to responsible government, union was necessary. It was opposed by French Canada because it threatened the destruction of French-Canadian nationalism. But French Canada understood neither the system of responsible government nor the real significance of union. The choice of French Canada was between anarchy and union with participation in self-government. The union served to educate French Canada in the practice of government. It suppressed its violence and excesses by responsibility. By destroying the exclusiveness of French nationality, and compelling it to participate in the fortunes of a larger unity, it paved the way for that greater reconciliation of nationalism and imperialism.