Congrégation

The Seventh Report From The Select Committee Of The House Of Assembly Of Upper Canada On Grievances; to whom were referred Lord Viscount Goderich’s Despatch to His Excellency Sir John Colborne of the 8th November 1832. To Which Is Added The Report From The Same Committee On The Petition Of William Forsyth Late Proprietor Of The Niagara Falls Pavilion. W.L.Mackenzie Esq. Chairman. Ordered by the House of Assembly to be Printed 2000 copies 10th April 1835.

elala6217 — Toronto: M.Reynolds Printer to the Hon. the House of Assembly 1835. First Edition of this famous report an eloquent and forceful indictment of the Family Compact Government largely written by Scottish-Canadian journalist and politician William Lyon Mackenzie who chaired the committee. The grievances of the Reformers are listed in detail: concern regarding the excessive power of the executive branch in Upper Canada and the campaigning of government officials for Tory politicians during elections criticism of companies like the Welland Canal Company that mismanaged funds given to them by the government and the salaries of officials who received patronage appointments. Demands are made for an elective legislative council and responsible government. A landmark document in the political history of Upper Canada. Mackenzie represented York County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and was elected the first mayor of Toronto in 1834. He led the rebels in the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837 and after its defeat he unsuccessfully rallied American support for an invasion of Upper Canada as part of the Patriot War against British imperialism. Interestingly this is a signed presentation copy given the year of publication by lawyer politician and later judge Archibald McLean who was a rising member of the Family Compact. As a colonel of the militia during the 1837 rebellion he was involved in routing the rebels in Toronto commanding the left flank of the loyalist forces under Colonel James Fitzgibbon in the attack on Montgomery’s Tavern. Fleming 892. Gagnon I 2196. Lande 859. Sabin 10577. TPL 1929. Watters p. 885. 8vo. pp. 6 p.l. 76index 2errata li 1 372 vi 26 A-I K-Y. with half-title. A very good copy in original cloth-backed bds. paper spine label chipped. Signed Presentation copy dated 1835 to Dr. Alexander Wylie Matilda from his friend Archibald McLean M.P.P. 1791-1865. elala6217 Toronto: M.Reynolds, Printer to the Hon. the House of Assembly, 1835 hardcover