Part 48 (1/2)

CHAPTER xxxVIII

1843

Episode in the Case of Hon Marshall S Bidwell

As e 188, an effort was made in 1843 to induce Hon M S Bidwell to return to Canada Copies of the correspondence on the subject were enclosed to Dr Ryerson, by the Hon

Robert Baldwin, in a letter dated Kingston, 5th June, 1843, as follows:--

I enclose you copies of letters which I am sure will afford you much pleasure At present this communication of them must be confidential, as you will see by their date that they have not yet reached their object himself But after the warm interest you have taken in the cause of my friend, at a time when any interference on my part would have been worse than useless, I feel it due to you to make you early acquainted hat has taken place I have seen, with much pleasure, that you have carried out the intention you hinted to ston Your adood effect I see that souns were let off at you on the occasion, but they are too puny to excite anything but a sret much my inability to have been present at your last annual examination, but hope to be more fortunate another year

The Hon Robert Baldwin's letter to Mr Bidwell, enclosed to Dr

Ryerson, dated Kingston, 2nd June, 1843, was as follows:--

I have great pleasure in being able to transmit to you a copy of a note addressed by me to His Excellency the Governor-General, with a copy of that of Mr Secretary Harrison, conveying His Excellency's reply, which, I am happy, so distinctly removes every obstacle to your return to what has been in all essentials your native country; and that without the descent on your part, by even a single step, froround which you have always maintained in relation to your unjust expatriation

I will at present only stop to assure you of the sentiments of unabated affection and respect hich you have ever continued to be regarded in this country, during the whole period of your exile, and to express my conviction of the satisfaction hich your return will be hailed by all your former friends, and by many even of your former political opponents--in which satisfaction, I trust, I need scarcely add that no one willis a copy of Mr Baldwin's note to Sir Charles Metcalfe, the Governor-General, dated 25th May:--

Mr Robert Baldwin, having been informed by Mr Secretary Harrison that with reference to the case of Mr Bidwell, which Mr Baldwin had the honour of bringing under the notice of the Governor-General shortly after his assumption of the Government, His Excellency only requires a request to be e taken froentleman, in his departure fro His Excellency's sanction for the introduction into Parliahts of which his residence abroad, under pressure of that pledge, has deprived his leave to make that request

The letter in reply, of Mr Secretary Harrison to Hon Robert Baldwin, dated 29th May, was as follows:--

I am commanded by the Governor-General to inform you, in reply to your note of the 25th inst, that His Excellency considers it right that whatever pledge iven by Mr Bidwell on his departure from Upper Canada, to preclude his return, should be cancelled The letter of that gentleman to the then Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Francis Bond Head, supposed to contain such a pledge, is not to be found in the archives of the Secretary's office I ae is considered as cancelled, and that the letter, if ever found, may be returned

I am also further desired to acquaint you that in the event of Mr

Bidwell's proposing to return, His Excellency will give his sanction to the introduction into Parliahts of which his residence abroad, under pressure of his pledge, deprived hiust, 1843, Hon Robert Baldrote the following letter to Dr Ryerson:--

I send you a copy of a letter from our friend, Mr Bidwell, in answer to inal I have sent up tothe interest you have ever taken in his case

Hon M S Bidwell's letter to Hon Robert Baldwin, dated New York, 31st July, 1843, was as follows:--

I hardly kno to co a delay which has been unintentional and unexpected, and in a great ht to have written to you when I first received it, but I then hoped it would be in my power to make you a short visit in compliance with your invitation On this point I was kept in suspense by the state of Mrs Bidwell's health, and was besides very laboriously occupied with indispensable professional engagements With this frank explanation I throw ence to pardon my delay

Never, my dear friend, for one s, or your anxiety that I should be treated with justice and liberality by the Governratified that I was honoured with the friendshi+p of one whose wishes and talents have, for many years, commanded my respect Amidst the dejection of spirits and perplexity of mind that I have suffered, this consideration has afforded reat consolation

Your communication has now taken ations if you will ements for me to His Excellency for the anshich, by his directions, Mr Secretary Harrison returned to your letter

All that I have learned of Sir Charles Metcalfe's character and hest respect, and with a confidence that Canada will be governed by hi that country, this confidence has been a source of great joy to ment, Sir Robert Peel in all his measures, since his last appointment has shoise moderation and conciliatory spirit, and an anxious desire for the true welfare of the vast Empire beneath the sway of Her Majesty's sceptre

I would gladly reat pleasure to see you here I shall do with great pleasure what I can to reeable to you I have heard with concern of the feeble health of your venerable father I cannot tell you hat deep interest and great respect I think of him