Instructions to Sydenham, 7^th September, 1839

Charles Edward Poulett Thomson, Baron Sydenham, was shortly to become lieutenant-governor of Lower Canada, a post which he held until the Act of Union came into effect in 1841. He then served for a short period as governor general of the Province of Canada. Lord John Russell, first Earl of Bedford was secretary for war and the colonies.

Document Summary:
This dispatch contains instructions to Sydenham following the rebellions and Lord Durham's report. Russell instructs Sydenham to make the union of the provinces possible by gaining the acceptance of the two provinces for the union.

Sydenham has permission dissolve the Assembly, but only with "the gravest deliberation." Also, Sydenham is to call to the Executive and Legislative Councils men who would be accepted by the public.

The instructions also comment on:

• The sale of Crown lands.
  
  
• Financial aid for Upper Canada as a result of the mismanagement of the Welland Canal.
  
  
• Indemnities for losses due to the rebellion.
  
  
• Refusal to give assent to a bill that would remove the clergy from the civil list (and thus the Crown's "obligation of maintaining the rights of the clergy in question").