Sydney to Dorchester: 3d Sept., 1788

Historical Note

Guy Carleton was made a baron when he returned as governor of Québec (after 1791, Upper and Lower Canada) from 1785 till 1795. He was then known as Lord Dorchester. Thomas Townshend, first Viscount Sydney, was the British secretary of state for the Home Department from 1783 till 1789.

Document Summary:
Sydney asks Dorchester to send a full account of Canadian issues, with particular attention to be paid to a proposed Assembly, taxation and trial by jury. He suggests a division of the province as a remedy to the arising problems.