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The news of the disallowance of the ordinance caused consternation throughout the lower province. The extremists of the French-Canadian party secretly rejoiced at this rebuff to Durham, and entered with renewed energy into plans for insurrection. The British press condemned the action of the ministry in unmeasured terms. The ultra-British element was carried to an inordinate excess in its denunciation of the treachery of Melbourne. Addresses poured in from all sections of the British inhabitants of both provinces. But the mass of the French Canadians remained impassive and refused to be drawn into any demonstrations.

Having determined to resign, Durham, on October 9, issued a proclamation designed to vindicate his conduct before the people of Canada and to calm any agitation which the peculiar circumstances of his departure might be inclined to occasion. The purpose and the result of this action is set forth by Lady Durham. ‘His aim was directed to turn their attention towards England, to inspire fresh hopes that his presence and earnest representations, with the faithful report of the state of the country, would at last be met with consideration and produce a change in the system of government of the Colony.... Far, however, from inflaming the minds of the People, the Proclamation had, as was intended, the effect of soothing and allaying the irritation and ill feeling which prevailed by directing their views to the expectation of a last effort in England.’^[1] The remaining administrative details were completed in October, and on November 1 Lord Durham set sail for England.

It is difficult to estimate the immediate results of Durham’s mission. The rebellion had been suppressed before he arrived, but the most difficult of the problems raised by the rebellion—the disposition of the prisoners—still remained. Had Durham been granted the support he deserved there is every reason to believe that the restoration of the prisoners could have been accomplished with no risk to the province. His dealings with the United States had been pre-eminently successful, at a time when failure would have endangered the integrity of the Empire. The administration of the government during the period of his actual term of office was satisfactory. His independence and superiority to party inspired confidence in his administration. The basis was laid for the preparation of his report, that classic production on the subject of colonial government. Information was brought together which proved of invaluable aid in the solution of the problems of the province. But with French Canada Lord Durham had never been on terms of cordiality. He did not understand French character, and his efforts at conciliation resulted in failure. In his dealings with La Fontaine and Viger he had been unfortunate and was believed to be prejudiced against them. That he did not do justice to French Canada was manifested in his coercive scheme of federal union. What would have resulted had Durham been allowed to remain is only conjecture. The movement of dissension among the French Canadians was growing, and unless some step of conciliation were taken Durham’s mission might well have been embarrassed by a second revolt.

Durham reached England on the last day of November, and was soon busy on the preparation of his report. It is now generally conceded that there is no real question as to the authorship of this document. Rumours were circulated by enemies of Durham detracting from his credit in the preparation of the work. It is certain that Durham used his secretaries in the collection of the material on which the report is based. But its plan and the general principles of government stated are unquestionably the contribution of Durham himself. The Canadian situation had been thoroughly discussed with the Bullers, Wakefield, Turton, Thom, and each undoubtedly contributed to the formation of the opinions expressed in the report; but the personality speaking through the document is Lord Durham’s.