The Organization of the Province of Quebec Chapter 3 part 2

1. The Royal Proclamation (1763) In October 1763, a few months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, the British government issued the Royal Proclamation. This is the first constitution. It brought about major changes Territorial Administrative Legal Constitution: A set of laws governing the political organization of a state.

2. Territorial Changes Territorial changes Territory is divided and the Province of Quebec is created. The Province of Quebec corresponds to the St. Lawrence valley.

2. Territorial Changes Territorial changes A territory reserved for Native populations is created. The area covers the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley. No British colonists are allowed to settle there. This was an attempt to keep the British and the Natives separate to ease the tensions between them. This new territorial division was put into place during Pontiac’s Revolt. The Indian department, created in 1755 was in charge for negotiations between the British and the Natives. This measure encouraged some Native groups to make peace with the British in 1764.

3. Administrative Changes Political organization Abolition of the military regime. It is replaced by a civilian government. The Governor General held all of the powers in the colony. He is supported by 12 council members, who are appointed. The Royal Proclamation provided for the creation of a legislative assembly. However, the British did not establish one under this constitution.

4. Legal changes Judicial system In the Province of Quebec, English civil and criminal law were now in effect. Political authorities no longer had judicial power. A chief judge was appointed to administer justice and the courts.

5. The instructions to governor Murray In December 1763, Governor James Murray receives specific instructions regarding the Province of Quebec from King George III. Aim: To assimilate the Canadien population. The principal measures in King George III’s instructions Adopt English as the only language of administration Divide the land in townships instead of seigneuries Apply English civil and criminal law Establish the Anglican Church Encourage the construction of Protestant schools Promote the immigration of British Colonists Impose the Test Act Create a Legislative assembly as soon as possible, but ban access to Catholics Prohibit the admission of new Catholic priests to the colony

5. The instructions to governor Murray Assimilation: The process by which a people is absorbed into the culture of another people. Township: A territorial division, usually square in shape, under which the occupants own the land and are not charged any dues. Test Act: An oath the Canadiens were required to swear if they whished to work in the British colonial administration. It compelled them to renounce their Catholic faith and reject the authority of the Pope

6. Concessions made to the Canadiens Governor Murray found that he could not apply the king’s instructions because the Canadiens were more numerous than the inhabitants of British origin. He thought that the Canadiens would develop a sense of allegiance to the British Crown more easily if he showed them tolerance. He made concessions to the Canadiens and the Catholic Church.

6. Concessions made to the Canadiens Since Murray could not appoint Catholics to the Council, he appointed Protestants who were sympathetic to the Canadiens. Murray postponed the creation of a legislative assembly, because no Canadiens could be elected to it, unless they complied with the Test Act. He allowed the use of French civil law in local courts hearing cases involving Canadiens only. He allowed Canadiens to occupy certain administrative positions without having to comply with the Test Act.

7. Concessions made to the Catholic Church Monseigneur Pontbriand, the bishop of Quebec died in 1760. With no one to replace him, the future of the Catholic Church in Quebec is uncertain. The Catholic Clergy called on the British authorities to allow the appointment of a new Bishop. Murray agrees. He wanted to make the clergy happy because they had a lot of influence among the Canadiens. Jean-Olivier Briand is appointed in 1766.

7. Concessions made to the Catholic Church From that point on, the British authorities and the Catholic clergy collaborated. The Catholic clergy agreed to remind its followers that they owed obedience and allegiance to the king of Great Britain

8. Divisions among the British Colonists Murray’s decision to compromise created a division among the British colonists, who split into two camps: the French Party and the British Party. The French Party, supported Murray’s policy of compromise. It was mostly composed of administrators, military officers and nobles. The British Party, who wanted the assimilation of the Canadiens, was mostly composed of British merchants who were originally from the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain.

9. A new governor Unhappy with the concessions made to the Canadiens, members of the British Party sent petitions to the King. They demanded Murray’s removal. In the spring of 1766, James Murray is called back to England. Guy Carleton is appointed Governor in 1768. He turned out to be just as tolerant towards the Canadiens as Murray.