You will find here many of the documents (official and testimony) essential to a full understanding of lettres and documents that compose the Haldimand Collection.
1759 – 1763 : The end of New France and the beginning of British rule
- Articles of the Capitulation of Quebec (18th Sept. 1759) – FULL TEXT
- Articles of the Capitulation of Montreal (8th Sept. 1760) – FULL TEXT
- Treaty of Paris (10th day of February of the year 1763) – FULL TEXT
1763 – 1775 : The intolerable measures
- The Royal Proclamation of 1763 – FULL TEXT
- The Sugar Act (1764) – FULL TEXT
- The Currency Act (1764) – FULL TEXT
- The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved – James Otis (1764) – FULL TEXT
- The Stamp Act (1765) – FULL TEXT
- The Quartering Act (1765) – FULL TEXT
- The Objections to the Taxation of our American Colonies by the Legislature of Great Britain, briefly considered (1765) – FULL TEXT
- The Declaratory Act (1766) – FULL TEXT
- The Townshend Revenue Act (1767) – FULL TEXT
- The Rights of the Colonists. The Report of the Committee of Correspondence to the Boston Town Meeting. by Samuel Adams (1772) – FULL TEXT
- The Tea Act ( 1773) – FULL TEXT
- The Boston Tea Party (16 décembre 1773) – by George Hewe – FULL TEXT
- Boston Port Act – British Parliament (1774) – FULL TEXT
- Massachusetts Government Act – British Parliament (1774) – FULL TEXT
- Administration of Justice Act – British Parliament (1774) – FULL TEXT
- The Quebec Act – George III c. 83 (U. K.) – 1774 – FULL TEXT
- Quartering Act (1774) – FULL TEXT
- Declaration of Rights – First Philadelphia Congress (1774) – FULL TEXT
- The New England Restraining Act (1775) – FULL TEXT
1776 – 1783 : The revolutionary War
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies (1776) – FULL TEXT
Treaty of Paris (1783) – FULL TEXT
1784 – 1791 : The birth of United States and Canada
The Land Ordinance of 1785 – FULL TEXT
The United States Constitution of 1787 – FULL TEXT
Ordinance of Religious Freedom (Virginia Legislature – 1787) – FULL TEXT
Amendments to the American Constitution (27) – FULL TEXT
Canadian Archives
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF CANADA (1759-1791)
(Selected and Edited with Notes by Adam Shortt and Arthur G. Doughty, Printed by Order of Parliament – Second and Revised Edition by the Historical Documents Publication Board – Ottawa, Printed by J. L. Taché, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, 1918)
Part 1: is available at the following adress: http://www.canadiana.org/view/9_03424/4 Part 2: http://www.canadiana.org/view/9_03425/0003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREF ACE TO SECOND EDITION (Page ix ) (Full Text on this site)
INTRODUCTION (Page xi) (Full Text on this site)
Articles of Capitulation, Quebec, Sept. 18, 1759, French Text . (Page 1)
Articles of Capitulation, Quebec, Sept. 18, 1759, English Translation. (Page 5)
Articles of Capitulation, Montreal, Sept. 8, 1760, French Text.(Page 7)
Articles of Capitulation, Montreal, Sept. 8, 1760. English Translation.(Page 25)
Commission as Judge to Jacques Allier, January 6, 1760, French Text. (Page 36)
Commission as Judge to Jacques Allier, January 6. 1760, English Translation. (Page 37)
Placard from His Excellency, Gen. Amherst, Sept. 22, 1760, French Text. (Page 38)
Placard from His Excellency, Gen. Amherst, Sept. 22, 1760, English Translation. (Page 40)
Proclamation of Governor Murray, Establishing Military Courts, Oct. 31, 1760, French Text. (Page 42)
Proclamation of Governor Murray, Establishing Military Courts. Oct. 31, 1760, English Translation .(Page 44)
General Murray’s Report on the State of the Government of Quebec, June 5, 1762. (Page 47)
Col. Burton’s Report on the State of Government of Three Rivers, April, 1762. (Page 81)
General Gage’s Report on the State of Government of Montreal, March 20, 1762. (Page 91)
Treaty of Paris, Feb, 10, 1763, French Text. (Page 97)
Treaty of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, English Translation. (Page 113)
Papers relating to the Establishing of Civil Government in the Territories ceded to Britain by the Treaty of 1763:
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Egremont to Lords of Trade, May 5, 1763. (Page 127)
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Lords of Trade to Egremont, with Report, June 8, 1763. (Page 131)
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Egremont to Lords of Trade, July 14, 1763. (Page 147)
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Lords of Trade to Egremont, with Representation, Aug. 5, 1763. (Page 150)
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Halifax to Lords of Trade, Sept. 19, 1763. (Page 153)
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Lords of Trade to Halifax, Oct. 4. 1763. (Page 156)
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Proceedings in Privy Council, Oct. 5,1763 (Page 157)
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Report on Commissions for Governors, Oct. 6, 1763. (Page 159)
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Halifax to Lords of Trade, Oct. 8, 1763 (Page 163)
Proclamation of Oct. 7th, 1763.(Page 163)
Earl of Egremont to Governor Murray, Aug. 13, 1763.(Page 168)
Passing Governor’s Commissions, Oct. 7, 1763.(Page 170)
Additional Clauses in New Commissions, Nov. 4. 1763 (Page 170)
Commission appointing James Murray, Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Province of Quebec, Nov. 21, 1763 (Page 173)
Instructions to Governor Murray, Dec. 7.1763. (Page 181)
Ordinance of Sept. 17.1764, Establishing Civil Courts. (Page 205)
Governor Murray to Earl of Halifax, Oct. 15, 1764. (Page 210)
Presentments of the Grand Jury of Quebec, Oct. 16, 1764 (Page 212)
Statement by French Jurors in reference to the foregoing Presentments, Oct. 26, 1764, French Text. (Page 216)
Statement by French Jurors in reference to the toiegoing Presentments, Oct. 26. 1764, English Translation. (Page 219)
Address of French Citizens to the King regal ding the Legal System, Jan. 7. 1765, French Text. (Page 223)
Address of French Citizens to the King regarding the Legal System. Jan. 7, 1765, English Translation. (Page 227)
Ordinance of Nov. 6, 1764. (Page 229)
Governor Murray to Lords of Trade, Oct. 29, 1764 (Page 231)
Petition of the Quebec Traders to the King. (Page 232)
Petition of the London Merchants to the King. (Page 235)
Report of Attorney and Solicitor General re Status of Roman Catholic Subjects. June 10, 1765 (Page 236)
Report of Committee for Plantation Affairs re Ordinances and Constitutions by the Governor of Quebec. Sept. 2, 1765. (Page 237)
Representation of the Board of Trade to the King, Sept. 2, 1765. (Page 247)
Ordinance of July I, 1766, to Alter and Amend Ordinance of Sept. 17. 1764.(Page 249)
Ordinance of July 26, 1766, in addition to Ordinance of Sept. 17, 1764. (Page 250)
Report of Attorney and Solicitor General (Yorke and DeGrey). regarding the Civil Government of Quebec, April 4, 1766. (Page 251)
Considerations on the Expediency of Procuring an Act of Parliament for the Settlement of the Province of Quebec. by Francis Maseres, 1766. (Page 257)
Irving to the Lords of Trade; Aug. 20,1766 (Page 269)
Petition of Seigneurs of Montreal to the King, Feb. 3. 1767, French Text. (Page 270)
Petition of Seigneurs of Montreal to the King, Feb. 3, 1767, English Translation. (Page 272)
Commission of Chief Justice William Hey, Sept. 25, 1766. (Page 273)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to Earl of Shelburne, Oct. 25, 1766 (Page 276)
Remonstrance of Members of Council to Lieut.-Governor Carleton, Oct. 13, 1766 (Page 277)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton’s reply to Remonstrance of Members of Council. (Page 278)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to General Gage, Feb. 15, 1767 (Page 280)
Earl of Shelburne to Lieut.-Governor Carleton, June 20, 1767 (Page 281)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to Earl of Shelburne, Nov. 25, 1767 (Page 281)
Resolution of Privy Council as to Information Required Concerning the Province o Quebec, Aug.,28, 1767. (Page 285)
Earl of Shelburne to Lieut.-Governor Carleton, Dec. 17, 1767 (Page 287)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to Earl of Shelburne, Dec. 24, 1767 (Page 288)
Draught of an Ordinance Relating to French Land Tenures (Page 292)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to Earl of Shelburne, Jan. 20, 1768 (Page 294)
Earl of Hillsborough to Lieut.-Governor Carleton, March 6, 1768 (Page 297)
Lieut.-Governor Carleton to Earl of Shelburne, April 12, 1768 (Page 299)
Instructions to Governor Carleton, 1768 (Page 301)
Earl of Hillsborough to Governor Carleton, Oct. 12, 1768 (Page 325)
Governor Carleton toEarl of Hillsborough, Nov. 20, 1768 (Page 325)
A Draught of an Intended Report of the Honourable the Governor in Chief and the Council of the Province of Quebec, to the King Concerning the State of the Laws and the Administration of Justice in that Province, by Francis. Maseres (Page 327)
Attorney General Maseres’ Criticism of Governor Carleton’s Report on the Laws of the Province, 1769 (Page 370)
Report of Lords Commissioners fer Trade and Plantations Relative to the State of the Province of Quebec, July 10, 1769 (Page 377)
Appendix to Report of Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (Page 393)
Report of Committee of the Council on Administration of Law by Justices of the Peace, Sept. 11, 1769. (Page 395)
An Ordinance for the More Effectual Administration of Justice, and for Regulating the Courts of Law in the Province, Feb. 1, 1770 (Page 401)
Petition for a General Assembly (Page 417)
Petition for the Restoration of French Law and Custom, French Text (Page 419)
Petition for the Restoration of French Law and Custom, English Translation (Page 421)
Additional Instruction to Governor Carleton, 1771. (Page 422)
Earl of Hillsborough to Lieut.-Governor Cramahe, July 3, 1771 (Page 423)
Report of Solicitor General Alex. Wedderburn, Dec. 6. 1772 (Page 424)
Abstract of such Regulations in Solicitor General’s Report as may be established by Act. of Parliament, Dec. 6, 1772 (Page 432)
Abstract cf such Regulations as the Legislature may carry into Execution (Page 434)
Report of Attorney General Edward Thurlow, Jan. 22, 1773 (Page 437)
Plan of a Code of Laws for the Province of Quebec. Reported by the Advocate General,’ James Marriott, 1774 (Page 440)
Lieut.-Governor Cramahé to Earl of Dartmouth, June 22. 1773 (Page 484)
Earl of Dartmouth to Lieut.-Governor Cramahé, Dec. 1, 1773 (Page 485)
Francis Maseres to Earl of Dartmouth, Jan. 4, 1774, with Proceedings of Quebec Committee (Page 486)
Letter of Committee of English Inhabitants to Maseres (Page 490)
Lieut.-Governor Cramahé to Earl of Dartmouth, Dec. 13, 1773 (Page 491)
Petition to Lieut.-Governor Cramahé for an Assembly, Nov. 29, 1773 (Page 493)
Lieut.-Governor’s Reply, Dec. 11,1773 (Page 495)
Petition to the King, for an Assembly, Dec. 31, 1773 (Page 495)
Memorial from Quebec to Earl of Dartmouth, Dec. 31, 1773 (Page 498)
Memorial from Montreal to Earl of Dartmouth, Jan. 15, 1774 (Page 501)
Earl of Dartmouth to Lieut.-Governor Cramahé, May 4, 1774 (Page 503)
Lieut.-Governor Cramahé to Earl of Dartmouth, July 15, 1774 (Page 503)
Petition of French Subjects to the King, Dec. 1773, French Text (Page 504)
Petition of French Subjects to the King, Dec. 1773, English Translation (Page 507)
Memorial of French Subjects in Support of their Petition, French Text (Page 508)
Memorial of French Subjects in Support of their Petition, English Translation (Page 510)
Case of the British Merchants Trading to Quebec, May, 1774 (Page 512)
Lord Mansfield’s Judgment in Campbell vs, Hall, 1774 (Page 522)
Maseres to the Lord Chancellor, April.30, 1774. (Page 531)
Memoranda and Draughts of Bills Relating to the Subject of the Quebec Act, 1774:
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Memorandum of Government of Quebec (Page 533)
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First Draught of the Quebec Bill (Page 535)
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Second Draught of the Quebec Bill (Page 536)
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Proposed Extension of Provincial Limits (Page 541)
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Third Draught of the Quebec Bill (Page 543)
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Notes on Third Draught of Quebec Bill (Page 548)
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The Clause Concerning Religion in the Third Draught (Page 549)
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Lord Hillsborough’s Objections to Third Draught of Quebec Bill (Page 551)
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Earl of Dartmouth’s Reply to Lord Hillsborough (Page 554)
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The Quebec Bill, as Returned from the Commons (Page 554)
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Things which must of necessity be Considered and Definitely Settled if the Bill is passed, French Text (Page 561)
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Things which must of necessity be Considered and Definitely Settled if the Bill is Passed, English Translation (Page 564)
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Queries re Government of Quebec (Page 568)
The Quebec Act. 14. Geo. III, cap. 83. (Page 570)
Quebec Revenue Act. 14. Geo. III, cap. 88 (Page 576)
An Act for amending and explaining an Act to establish a fund towards further defraying the charges of the Administration of Justice. and support of the Civil Government within the Province of Quebec (Page 580)
Governor Carleton to Earl of Dartmouth. Sept. 23. 1774. (Page 583)
General Gage to Governor Carleton. Sept. 4, 1774 (Page 583)
Governor Carleton to General Gage. Sept. 20.1774 (Page 584)
Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Carleton. Dec. 10. 1774 (Page 585)
Governor Carleton to Earl of Dartmouth, Nov. 11. 1774 (Page 586)
Petitions for the Repeal of the Quebec Act. Nov. 12. 1774:
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To the King (Page 589)
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To the Lords (Page 591)
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To the Commons (Page 592)
Instruction to Governor Carleton, 1775. (Page 594)
Plan for the future management of Iridian Affairs, referred to in the 32nd article of the foregoing Instructions (Page 614)
Instructions relating to Trade and Navigation. (Page 620)
Additional Instructions, March 13, 1775 (Page 636)
Additional Instructions, Nov. 14, 1775 (Page 636)
Draught of an Ordinance for Establishing Courts of Justice, May 1, 1775 (Page 636)
Governor Carleton to General Gage. Feb. 4, 1775.(Page 660)
Earl of Dartmouth to Governor Carleton. June 7, 1175.(Page 663)
Governor Carleton to Earl of Dartmouth. June 7, 1775. (Page 663)
Lieut.-Governor Cramahe to Earl of Dartmouth, Sept, 21. 1775. (Page 667)
Chief Justice Hey to the Lord Chancellor, Aug. 28. 1175. (Page 668)
Commission for a Court of Appeals, Aug, 1, 1776 (Page 672)
Commission for a Court of Civil Jurisdiction. July 23,1776 (Page 674)
Governor Carleton to Lord Germain, Sept. 28, 1776 .(Page 675)
Governor Carleton to Lord Germain, May 9,1777 (Page 676)
Ordinances passed by the Legislative Council. Jan. to April, 1777.(Page 678)
An Ordinance for Establishing Courts of Civil Judicature in the Province of Quebec. Feb. 25, 1777 (Page 697)
An Ordinance to Regulate the Proceedings in the Courts of Civil Judicature in the Province of Quebec. Feb. 25, 1777 (Page 682)
An Ordinance for Establishing Courts of Criminal JuriWiction in the Province of Quebec. March 4. 1777 (Page 690)
Plan for a Chamber of Commerce for the City and District of Quebec. April 3, 1777. (Page 692)
Petition of Merchants for Repeal of Quebec Act, April 2. 1773. (Page 694)
Instructions to Governor Haldimand, April 15, 1778. (Page 696)
Carleton’s Dismissal of Chief Justice Livius, March 2. 1779 (Page 698)
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Additional Instruction, March 29, 1779 (Page 704)
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Additional Instruction, March 29, 1779 (Page 705)
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Additional Instruction, July 16, 1779 (Page 706)
Opinion of Members of Council on Executing the Instructions at 16th July, 1779. (Page 707)
Governor Haldimand to Lord Germain. Oct. 25, 1780 (Page 711)
The Lords of Trade and Plantations to Haldimand. April 10, 1781. (Page 722)
Ordinance re Proceedings of Courts, Feb. 5, 1783 (Page 725)
Treaty of Paris. 1783 (Page 726)
Additional Instructions to Haldimand, July 16, 1783 .(Page 730)
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Additional Instruction, May 26. 1785 (Page 733)
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Additional Instruction, July 25, 1785 (Page 734)
Governor Haldimand to Lord North. Oct. 24. 1783 (Page 735)
Governor Haldimand to Lord North. Nov. 6, 1783. (Page 738)
Hugh Finlay to Sir Evan Nepean, Oct. 22, 1784. (Page 739)
Petition for House of Assembly. Nov. 24. 1784 (Page 742)
Plan for a House of Assembly, Nov., 1784 (Page 753)
Objections to Petition of November, 1784, French Ten (Page 754)
Objections to Petition of November, 1784, English Translation. (Page 758)
Address of Roman Catholic Citizens to the King, French Text. (Page 762)
Address of Roman Catholic Citizens to the King. English Translation. (Page 765)
A Draught of a Proposed Act of Parliament for the Better Securing the Liberties of His Majesty’s Subjects in the Province of Quebec. April, 1786 (Page 767)
Petition of Sir John Johnson and Loyalists. April 11, 1785 (Page 773)
Lieutc-Governor Hamilton to Lord Sydney. April 20, 1785. (Page 777)
Ordinance Establishing Trial by Jury, April 21. 1785 (Page 780)
Lieuts-Covernor Hope to Lord Sydney, Nov. 2. 1785 (Page 793)
Memorial of British Merchants Trading to Quebec. Feb. 8, 1786. (Page 796)
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Letter from Merchants of Montreal, Nov. 2, 1785 (Page 801)
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Letter from Merchants of Quebec, Nov. 9, 1785 (Page 803)
Lord Sydney to Lieut.-Governor Hope, April 6, 1786. (Page 805)
Lord Sydney to Col. Joseph Brant. enclosed in foregoing. (Page 809)
Lord Sydney to Lieut.-Governor Hope, April 6, 1736. (Page 810)
Memoranda for Instructions. July 28, 1786 (Page 811)
Plan of General Directions for Sir Guy Carleton. 1786. (Page 812)
Draught of Particular Instructions to Carleton, 1786. (Page 813)
Instructions to Lord Dorchester, Aug. 23. 1786 (Page 816)
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Additional Instructions. March 21. 1787 (Page 837)
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Additional Instruction. Aug. 25. 1787 (Page 838)
Chief Justice Smith to Sir Evan Nepean, Jan. 2, 1787 (Page 841)
Hugh Finlay to Sir Evan Nepean. Feb. 13, 1787 (Page 843)
Hugh Finlay to Sir Evan Nepean. March 15, 1787 (Page 845)
Draughts of an Ordinance framed by Chief Justice Smith, March 12,1787 (Page 847)
Extract from Proceedings of Council. March 26, 1787 (Page 854)
Ordinance re Proceedings of Civil Courts. April 30, 1787. (Page 858)
Ordinance re Criminal Courts, April 30. 1787 (Page 862)
Lord Sydney to Lord Dorchester, Sept. 20, 1787 (Page 863)
Lord Dorchester to Lord Sydney, June 13, 1787 (Page 865)
Minutes of Council upon State Business from the 24th of October, 1786, to the 2nd of June, 1787 (Page 869)
Memorial of The Judges. May 1, 1787 (Page 873)
Report of the Committee of the Council Relating to the Courts of Justice (Page 874)
Memorandum of the Council. (Page 886)
List of Jurors (Page 891)
A Paper by Judge Panet, French Text (Page 892)
A Paper by Judge Panet, English Translation (Page 896)
Another Paper by Judge Panet, French Text. (Page 894)
Another Paper by Judge Panet, English Translation (Page 898)
Report of the Committee of Council Relating to Commerce and Police, 1787 (Page 899)
Report of the Merchants of Quebec by their Committee (Page 902)
Copy of a Petition to Lord Dorchester from New Subjects at Quebec. French Text. (Page 910)
Copy of a Petition to Lord Dorchester from New Subjects at Quebec, English Translation Letter from the Committee of Council on Commerce and Police to the Merchants of Montreal (Page 913)
Answer to foregoing Letter .(Page 914)
Report of the Merchants of Montreal by their Committee (Page 915)
Copy of a Letter Accompanying the above Report (Page 920)
Copy of an Address to Lord Dorchester from New Subjects at Montreal, French Text (Page 921)
Copy of an Address to Lord Dorchester from New Subjects at Montreal, English Translation (Page 923)
Letter Addressed to the Magistrates of Quebec, from the Committee of Council. (Page 925)
Letter from the Magistrates of Quebec to the Committee of Council in answer to the foregoing Letter .(Page 926)
Letter to the Merchants at Three Rivers, from the Committee of Council (Page 929)
An Answer to the Foregoing Letter (Page 929)
Representation of New Subjects at Three Rivers to the Governor and Council, French Text. (Page 930)
Representation of New Subjects at Three Rivers to the Governor and Council, English Translation (Page 934)
Report of the Committee of the Council upon Population, Agriculture and the Settlement of the Crown Lands, 1787 (Page 937)
Letter from the Magistrates at Cataraqui to Sir John Johnson (Page 942)
Letter from the Magistrates at New Oswegatchee to Sir John Johnson (Page 945)
Lord Dorehester to Lord Sydney, June 13, 1787 (Page 946)
Petition of the Western Loyalists. April 15, 1787 (Page 949)
Memorial of Merchants Trading to Quebec, Feb, 4, 1788 (Page 952)
Patent Creating New Districts, July 24, 1788 (Page 953)
Lord Sydney to Lord Dorchester, Sept. 3, 1788 (Page 954)
Lord Dorchester to Lord Sydney, Nov. 8, 1788 (Page 958)
Hugh Finlay to Sir Evan Nepean, Feb. 9, 1789 (Page 960)
Ordinance of 1789 re Proceedings in the Courts of Civil Judicature (Page 963)
Lord Grenville to Lord Dorchester, Oct. 20. 1789 (Page 969)
Discussion of Petitions and Counter Petitions re Change of Government in Canada (Page 970)
Lord Grenville to Lord Dorchester, Oct. 20, 1789 (Page 987)
First Draught of Constitutional Bill, 1789 (Page 992)
Lord Dorchester to Lord Grenville, Feb. 8, 1790 (Page 1,002)
Second Draught of Constitutional Bill, 1790 (Page 1,006)
Boundary between Quebec and New Brunswick (Page 1,017)
Chief Justice Smith to Lord Dorchester, Feb. 5,1790 (Page 1,018)
Proposed Additions to New Canada Bill for a General Government, Feb. 8, 1790 (Page 1,020)
Clause re Trial of Criminal Offences, Feb. 8, 1790 (Page 1,024)
Lord Grenville to Lord Dorchester, June 5, 1791. (Page 1,024)
Lord Dundas to Lord Dorchester, Sept. 16, 1191 (Page 1,028)
The Constitutional Act of 1791. (Page 1,031)
Index (Page 1,053)
