Royal Scots of Canada Highlanders - Electric Scotland

Sth ROYAL SCOTS OF CANADA
Leslie, Brookes, Child, Scott, Peck, Cannon, Neilson, and
Knowlton.
On receiving the petition.
His Excellency stated that
he would not fail to transmit it to the King, but added:
— "I must, however, observe on the ]5resent occasion
that His Majesty's Courts of Justice in this province,
having determined that the ordinances in question are
laws in force,
my duty necessarily requires me to be governed
by such judicial decision until a new act shall be
passed by the provincial parliament for the regulation of
the militia, a measure which I sincerely hope will be effected
in the course of the present session.
It is understood that the Home Government took
no notice
of this petition.
Later in the session a militia bill
at rest the difficulty
was passed, pvitting
that had arisen between the executive
and the assembly relative to the old ordinances of
1787 and 1789. This bill exacted a propert3' qualification
in persons commissioned to the militia, and residence
within their respective territorial divisions. Before the
departure of Sir James Kempt, (Oct. 30, 1830) he made
a beginning with the reorganization of the militia, reinstating
several, if not all of those deprived of their commissions,
leaving the consummation of the work of conciliation
and reforn to his successor. Lord Aylmer, who
arrived at Quebec to assume the reins of government in
H. M. S. Herald, October 13, 1830. Hence the earliest
association
of the family of the present popular Adjutant
General of Militia, with the national defensive force of
Canada.
In opening the session of the legislature in 1834, the
governor in his speech remarked: — "Amongst the acts
which are about to expire, I think it necessary to draw
your particular attention to the act 10 and 11 George
IV., Cap. 3, intituled "An act to provide for the better
defence of the province,
and to regulate the militia thereof,"
continued by 2nd William IV., Cap. 55. Should it
be judged expedient further to continue that act, I would
recommend to you to consider the expediency of embodying
in it, the provisions of the act 2nd William IV., Cap.
42, instituted "An act to authorize the appointment of
courts of enquiry, for investigating the qualifications of
militia officers in certain cases, which act is also i.bout
to
expire."
In proroguing parliament the governor thanked the
legislature for having passed the militia bill as U'com
m.ended.
Meantime, while the acts regulating the Constitutional
defensive force were being made the playthings ol
wrangling politicians, the province was rapidlv drifting
on towards rebellion.